| acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
a serious viral disease of the body's immune system, transferred through blood, sexual contact, contaminated hypodermic needles, or the like; AIDS. |
| AIDS |
acronym of "acquired immune deficiency syndrome," a serious viral disease of the body's immune system, transferred through blood, sexual contact, contaminated hypodermic needles, or the like. |
| atopy |
a genetic tendency to develop allergic reactions that is typically associated with a heightened immune response to certain allergens. |
| autoimmune |
characterized by or relating to a condition in which normal cells are attacked by the body's own immune system. |
| colostrum |
the yellowish milk secreted by a female mammal in the first few days after the birth of young, that is esp. rich in immune factors and protein. |
| cortisol |
a hormone released from the adrenal cortex in response to stress that suppresses the immune system and increases blood sugar. When used as a drug, this hormone is called hydrocortisone. |
| cyclophosphamide |
a chemotherapeutic drug that suppresses the immune system, used esp. in the treatment of lymphomas. |
| cytokine |
any of a group of secretory proteins involved in intercellular communication, some of which stimulate the immune response. |
| cytokine storm |
a severe immune reaction of the body in which cytokines, which normally help in the process of fighting infection, are released in overwhelming numbers and begin to attack healthy cells. |
| HIV |
abbreviation of "human immunodeficiency virus," the retrovirus that causes the disease AIDS by infecting and destroying T cells in the immune system. |
| human immunodeficiency virus |
the retrovirus that causes the disease AIDS by infecting and destroying T cells in the immune system; HIV. |
| hyperimmune |
combined form of immune. |
| immunity |
the state or condition of being immune to a disease. [1/2 definitions] |
| immunize |
to cause to be immune, as by vaccination. |
| immunocompromised |
having an impaired or weakened immune system, as by disease or drugs. |
| immunoglobulin |
a protein of the immune system that acts as an antibody. |
| immunosuppressant |
a drug or other agent that inhibits the normal immune response. |
| immunosuppression |
inhibition of the normal immune response by a disease, drug, or other agent. |
| immunosuppressive |
of drugs, tending to suppress the natural immune response. |
| lupus |
a disease in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues, resulting in any of a variety of symptoms such as skin lesions, lung inflammation, or liver dysfunction. |
| methotrexate |
A toxic analog of folate that is used as a chemotherapy agent, an immune system suppressant, and an abortifacient. |