EAC Anaphylaxis Flashcards
define:
Anaphylactic Shock
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction, often affecting the whole body
Anaphylaxis occurs when patients are exposed to an allergen to which they may become over sensitive
An exaggerated allergic reaction which is characterised by bronchospasm and vascular collapse
define:
Allergen
An antigen to which an individual is hypersensitive
define:
Antigen
Any substance that the body regards as foreign or potentially dangerous and against which it produces an antibody (immune response)
define:
Antibody
A protein produced in response to a specific foreign substance (antigen) that destroys or inactivates the foreign substance
define:
Allergy
An adverse reaction on re-exposure to a substance that does not ordinarily cause adverse symptoms in the average person
define:
Anaphylactic shock
An extreme and generalised allergic reaction
In which widespread histamine release causes oedema, bronchoconstriction, heart failure, circulatory collapse and sometimes death.
Routes for Antigens into the body
Injection
Ingestion
Absorption
Inhalation
define:
Specific Defence Mechanism
After the body is invaded the first time by an antigen and has fought it off. To respond quicker next time, the body develops an Immunological Memory. This makes a specific immune cell that can produce specific antibodies to that antigen if it invades the body again.
define:
Non-specific defence Mechanism
The bodies generic defence mechanism involving the white blood cells e.g. Phagocytosis (eating) by Macrophage and Neutrophil cells
define:
Abnormal Immune Response
The immune system is unable to recognise when enough chemicals have been released to fight the antigen. Immunological response goes into overdrive and ends up destroying the body.
main cells involved in immunity
Mast cells
Phagocytes:
Macrophages
Neutrophils
Basophils
Lymphocytes:
T-Lymphocytes
B-Lymphocytes
describe:
Mast Cells
Similar to Basophils but found in loose connective tissues. When they come into contact with damaged or diseased cells they de-granulate and spill histamine (inflammatory) and heparin (anticoagulant) into the surrounding area.
describe:
phagocytes
non-selective in their targets. They bind, engulf and digest foreign cells or particles.
Macrophages also act as an antigen presenting cells to stimulate t-lymphocytes and activate an immune response.
describe:
Basophils
Found in the circulation. Releases granules of heparin (anticoagulant) and histamine (inflammatory) when stimulated by an allergen.
describe:
Lymphocytes
A white blood cell produced in bone marrow released into the blood stream.
further processed into two types:
T-Lymphocytes: provide cell mediated immunity
B-Lymphocytes: provide antibody mediated immunity
Both B and T Lymphocytes respond to only one specific antigen and ignore all others
