Immunizations & Allergies

cell-mediated response

produces t-cell lymphocytes in response to some infections and malignancies

humoral immune response

produces b-cell lymphocytes when the body is exposed to an antigen and also develops antibodies for that antigen; specific to the antigen

nonspecific immune response

causes inflammation in body tissue due to injury; inflammation involves chemical, vascular, and leukocyte activities in the tissues around the injury

specific immune response

activates when inflammation alone is insufficient to manage the infection

neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes)

specialized blood cells react to infection that threatens the health of the body cells and protects those cells from damage

monocytes

WBCs that eventually mature into macrophages and perform phagocytosis

eosinophils

WBCs that are attracted to cells and parasites coated with C2B substances; they secrete chemicals to erode the walls of the invading organism

basophils

WBCs important in hypersensitivity reactions in the allergic response

lymphocytes

WBCs responsible for the antigen-antibody response and sensitization (memory) to antigens to which the body has been exposure to previously

natural immunity

the body's inherent ability to fight infections through physical barriers and immune responses without prior exposure to specific pathogens

acquired immunity

results from being exposed to a disease or being immunized through vaccinations

active immunity

long-term immunity and often lasts for the person’s lifetime; immunizations typically lead to active immunity

passive immunity

temporary immunity gained through the transfer of antibodies from one individual to another, such as from mother to child during breastfeeding

immunodeficiency diseases

occur when the immune system is unable to fight the disease and protect the body

autoimmune disorders

occur when the body perceives part of its own body as a foreign substance and develops self-antigens to that part in order to destroy it

hypersensitivity and allergy reactions

occur when the body becomes inflamed and organs become dysfunctional when a foreign substance enters the body

autoimmune hemolytic anemia

the body does not recognize the body’s RBCs and they are destroyed by b-cells

multiple sclerosis

chronic or progressive neurological disorder that affects the myelin sheath

myasthenia gravis

neuromuscular disease that shoes sporadic weakened muscles, espcially after strenuous activity

pernicious anemia

inherited autoimmune blood cell production disorder and results from a deficiency of intrinsic factor in which RBCs develop abnormally when B12 is deficient

rheumatoid arthritis

chronic diseases that causes an inflammation and destruction of synovial membranes of the joints; the cartilage and bone erode over time and become deformed

systemic lupus erythematosus

chronic systemic disorder that can affect connective tissue throughout the body

hypersensitivity

allergy to a substance to which a person does not normally react

allergic reaction

a local or generalized reaction of an organism to contact with a specific allergen

hay fever

seasonal respiratory reaction to allergens such as pollen

asthma

serious respiratory reaction in which the bronchial tubes constrict, causing serious breathing difficulties

urticaria

spreading of reddened and elevated lesions (hives)

anaphylaxis

a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs when the body’s immune system overreacts to a substance (allergen)

intradermal allergy testing

a skin test where a small amount of a suspected allergen is injected under the skin to check for an allergic reaction

skin patch allergy testing

a medical procedure where small amounts of potential allergens are applied to the skin under patches

scratch allergy testing

an allergist or nurse will put a tiny bit of an allergen on the skin, then make a small scratch or prick on the skin

CBC

the CBC test identifies and counts the 7 types of cells found in the blood