Immunology Vocabulary

Question 1

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Answer 1

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

Question 2

allergist

Answer 2

Physician specializing in diagnosis and treatment of allergies

Question 3

allergy

Answer 3

Hypersensitivity to a common substance in environment, to food, or to medication

Question 4

anaphylactic shock

Answer 4

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

Question 5

antihistamine

Answer 5

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

Question 6

autoimmune disease

Answer 6

Disease resulting from body’s immune system attacking its own cells as if they were pathogens;

Question 7

corticosteroids

Answer 7

Hormones produced by adrenal cortex;

Question 8

elephantiasis

Answer 8

Results from blockage of lymphatic vessels that causes extreme tissue edema

Question 9

hives

Answer 9

Common name for appearance of wheals during allergic reaction

Question 10

Hodgkin disease

Answer 10

Cancer of lymphatic cells found in lymph nodes;

Question 11

immunodeficiency

Answer 11

Having an immune system that is unable to respond properly to pathogens;

Question 12

immunosuppressant

Answer 12

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

Question 13

inflammation

Answer 13

Tissue response to injury;

Question 14

Kaposi sarcoma

Answer 14

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 15

mononucleosis

Answer 15

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

Question 16

non-hodgkin lymphoma

Answer 16

Cancer of the lymphatic tissues other than Hodgkin lymphoma

Question 17

opportunistic infections

Answer 17

Infections seen in patients with compromised immune systems

Question 18

urticaria

Answer 18

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

Question 19

vaccination

Answer 19

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

Question 20

AIDS

Answer 20

acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Question 21

HIV

Answer 21

human immunodeficiency virus