Immunology: Immune Systems (Pt. 2)

Question 1

AIDS-related Complex (ARC)

Answer 1

Early stage of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in which mild symptoms of infection are present:

• Lymphadenopathy
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Night Sweats
• Weight Loss
• Diarrhea

Question 2

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Answer 2

Later stage of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection when the cells of the immune system lose their ability to fight off infection

Patients become unable to resist opportunistic infections such as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia Kaposi sarcoma.

Question 3

Allergy

Answer 3

Hypersensitivity to a common substance in environment (such as pollen), to food, or to medication.

Question 4

Anaphylatic Shock

Answer 4

Life-threatening resulting from severe allergic reaction causing cardiovascular and respiratory problems

AS may be triggered by…

• bee stings
• medications
• certain foods

Also called: anaphylaxis

Question 5

Antihistamine

Answer 5

Medication that blocks effects of histamine released by body during allergic reactions.

Question 6

Antinuclear Antibody Titer (ANA)

Answer 6

Blood test that determines number of antibodies against cell nuclei present in bloodstream; elevated in autoimmune coniditions.

Question 7

Corticosteroids

Answer 7

Hormones produced by adrenal cortex; used as medication to treat autoimmune diseases due to their very strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Question 8

Cytotoxic Cells

Answer 8

Cells capable of physically attacking and killing pathogens or diseased cells.

Question 9

Elephantiasis

Answer 9

Results from blockage of lymphatic vessels that cause extreme tissue edema.

Question 10

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Answer 10

Blood test for antibody to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) virus; positive result means the person has been exposed to virus.

Question 11

Hives

Answer 11

Common name for appearance of wheals during allergic reaction.

Question 12

Hodgkin Disease (HD)

Answer 12

Cancer of lymphatic cells found in lymph nodes; also called Hodgkin lymphoma.

Question 13

Immunodeficiency

Answer 13

Having an immune system that is unable to respond properly to pathogens; also called immunocompromised.

Question 14

Immunosuppressant

Answer 14

Medication to block certain actions of immune system; used to prevent rejection of transplanted organ.

Question 15

Inflammation

Answer 15

Tissue response to injury

Characterized by…

• Redness
• Pain
• Swelling
• Feeling Hot to Touch

Question 16

Kaposi Sarcoma (KS)

Answer 16

Type of skin cancer often seen in patients with AIDS; consists of brownish-purple papules that begin in skin and spread to internal organs.

Question 17

Mononucleosis (mono)

Answer 17

Acute viral infection of lymphoid tissue with large number of abnormal white blood cells circulating in bloodstream.

Question 18

non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)

Answer 18

Cancer of the lymphatic tissues other than Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Question 19

Opportunistic Infections

Answer 19

Infections seen in patients with compromised immune systems.

Question 20

Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia (PCP)

Answer 20

Opportunistic infection common in immunodeficient persons.

Question 21

Sarcoidosis

Answer 21

Autoimmune disease with fibrous lesions forming in lymph nodes, liver, skin, lungs, spleen, eyes, and small bones.

Question 22

Scratch Test

Answer 22

Type of allergy testing in which body is exposed to allergens through a light scratch in skin.

Question 23

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome (SCIDS)

Answer 23

Genetic condition of children born with nonfunctioning immune system who often are forced to live in sealed sterile rooms.

Question 24

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Answer 24

Autoimmune disease in which immune system attacks connective tissue throughout body such as joints and skin.

Question 25

Urticaria

Answer 25

Severe itching associated with hives, usually seen in allergic reactions to food, stress, or medications.

Question 26

Vaccination

Answer 26

Exposure to weakened pathogen to stimulate immune response and antibody production to give future protection against full-blown disease; also called immunization.

Question 27

Western Blot Test

Answer 27

Blood test to detect various antibodies in bloodstream such as HIV antibodies; considered more precise than ELISA.