MedTerm.Ch.7--Lymphatic&ImmuneSys

acquired immunity

obtained by having had a contagious disease.

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

commonly known as AIDS, is the most advanced and fatal stage of an HIV infection.

allergen

a substance that produces an allergic reaction in an individual.

allergist

specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions of altered immunologic reactivity, such as allergic reactions.

allergy

(hypersensitivity), is an over-reaction by the body to a particular antigen.

anaphylaxis

(anaphylactic shock), is a severe response to an allergen.

antibiotic-resistant bacteria

occur when antibiotics fail to kill all of the bacteria they target.

antibiotics

medications capable of inhibiting growth or killing pathogenic bacterial microorganisms.

antibody

a disease-fighting protein created by the immune system in response to the presence of a specific antigen.

antifungal

an agent that destroys or inhibits the growth of fungi.

antigen

any substance that the body regards as being foreign.

antigen-antibody reaction

also known as the immune reaction, involves binding antigens to antibodies.

autoimmune disorder

any of a large group of diseases characterized by a condition where the immune system produces antibodies against its own tissues, mistaking healthy cells, tissues, or organs for antigens.

bacilli

rod-shaped, spore-forming bacteria. (The singular is bacillus).

bacteria

one-celled microscopic organisms (singular, bacterium).

candidiasis

(yeast infection), occur on the skin or mucous membranes in warm, moist areas and are caused by the pathogenic yeast Candida albicans.

complement system

a group of proteins that normally circulate in the blood in an inactive form.

COVID-19

a highly contagious viral infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

cytokines

a group of proteins such as interferons and interleukins released primarily by the T cells.

cytomegalovirus

(CMV) is found in most body fluids.

hemolytic

destroying worn-out erythrocytes (red blood cells) and releasing their hemoglobin for reuse.

herpes zoster

(HZ)(shingles), an acute viral infection characterized by painful skin eruptions that follow the underlying route of an inflamed nerve.

human immunodeficiency virus

(HIV), a bloodborne infection in which the virus damages or kills the T cells of the immune system, causing it to progressively fail, thus leaving the body at risk of developing many life-threatening opportunistic infections.

immunodeficiency disorder

occurs when the immune response is compromised.

immunoglobulins

help the body attack and kill germs. bind with specific antigens in the antigen-antibody response.

immunologist

specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the immune system.

immunosuppressant

a substance that prevents or reduces the body’s normal immune response.

immunotherapy

a disease treatment that involves either stimulating or repressing the immune response.
boosts the ability of the immune system to recognize and fight cancer.

infectious disease specialist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

infectious monoucleosis

(mono), caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, and is most common in adolescents and young adults.

influenza

commonly known as the flu, is a highly contagious viral respiratory infection that usually occurs in seasonal epidemics.

interferons

(IFNs) are produced in response to the presence of antigens, particularly viruses or tumor cells.

Lyme disease

transmitted by the bite of a tick that has had contact with a deer infected with the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi.

lymphadenopathy

any disease process affecting a lymph node or nodes.

lymphangioma

a benign tumor formed by an abnormal collection of lymphatic vessels due to a congenital malformation of the lymphatic system.

lymphedema

(LE) is swelling of the tissues due to an abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid within the tissues.

lymphocytes

(lymphoid cells), are leukocytes formed in bone marrow that identify foreign substances and germs in the body and produce antibodies that specifically target them.

lymphologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the lymphatic system.

lymphoscintigraphy

a diagnostic test that is performed to detect damage or malformations of the lymphatic vessels.

macrophage

a type of leukocyte that surrounds and kills invading cells.

malaria

caused by a parasite that lives in certain mosquitoes and is transferred to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.

measles

an acute, highly contagious infection that is transmitted by respiratory droplets of the rubeola virus.

natural immunity

(passive immunity), resistance to a disease present without the administration of an antigen or exposure to a disease.

opportunistic infection

caused by a pathogen that does not normally produce an illness in healthy humans.

parasite

a plant or animal that lives on or within another living organism at the expense of that organism.

pathogen

a microorganism that causes a disease in humans.

rabies

an acute viral infection that is transmitted to humans through the bite or saliva of an infected animal.

rickettsia

a small bacterium that lives in lice, fleas, ticks, and mites (plural, rickettsiae).

rubella

(German measles), a viral infection characterized by a low-grade fever, swollen glands, inflamed eyes, and a fine, pink rash.

spirochetes

long, slender, spiral-shaped bacteria that have flexible walls and are capable of movement.

splenomegaly

an abnormal enlargement of the spleen.

staphylocci

a group of about 30 species of bacteria that form irregular groups or clusters resembling grapes.

streptococci

bacteria that form a chain. (The singular is streptococcus).

synthetic immunoglobulins

(immune serum), are used as a post-exposure preventive measure against certain viruses, including rabies and some types of hepatitis.

synthetic interferon

used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, and some cancers.

systemic reaction

also known as (anaphylaxis/ anaphylactic shock), is a severe response to an allergen.

toxoplasmosis

a disease caused by a parasite that is most commonly transmitted from pets to humans by contact with contaminated feces.

varicella

(chickenpox), is caused by the herpesvirus Varicella zoster and is highly contagious.

West Nile virus

spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito.

Zika virus

spread by the bite of an infected mosquito