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hypersensitivity reaction

hypersensitivity reaction

5.6
An extreme response by the immune system to something you are allergic to that can be life threatening
  • noun
  • /ˌhaɪpərˌsɛnsɪˈtɪvɪti riˈækʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : reacción de hipersensibilidad
  • Some individuals may experience severe hypersensitivity reactions to peanut butter, which can include swelling and difficulty breathing.
  • mediated hypersensitivity reaction

I've had this sort of unknown delayed hypersensitivity reaction to it.

Examples

  • Never mind that Eliza Jane had, as was emphasized in the report, never been exposed to antibiotics before and that her clinical course did not seem consistent with a hypersensitivity reaction.

    Blog text (29)
  • The presence of peripheral eosinophilia and an elevated IgE level suggests an abnormal T-cell stimulation to a hypersensitivity reaction.

    Academic text (2010)
  • In such circumstances, it may be impossible to distinguish between hypersensitivity reactions and clinical treatment failures.

    Academic text (2004)
  • In addition, the hypersensitivity reaction may extend into the inner ear, with IgG and immune complex formation.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions are rare.

    Academic text (2005)
  • While fulminant hypersensitivity reactions are usually relatively easy to recognize, hypersensitivity may take a more subtle form.

    Academic text (2004)
  • VLS did not recur, but he developed a morbilliform rash, presumably a hypersensitivity reaction to DD.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Fever and muscle pain (between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 recipients); nosebleed, rash, and hypersensitivity reactions (between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1,000 recipients).

    Academic text (2012)
  • Potential for adverse effects includes hypersensitivity reaction, hypokalemia, GI disturbance, anemia, nephrotoxicity, and tachycardia.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Also, for workers with IgE-mediated hypersensitivity reactions, the supervisor, in conjunction with hospital administration, should initiate and enforce appropriate standards for the elimination from the worker's environment of potentially harmful medical products that contain high quantities of latex antigen.

    Academic text (1998)

Synonyms

allergy
vshypersensitivity reaction
183 2.6

A harmful reaction of the body to foods, pollen or animal fur that causes sneezing, rash and breathing problems

is the immune event itself an excessive immediate response to an allergen
allergic reaction
vshypersensitivity reaction
36 3.0

The body has a strong unwanted response to things like pollen or peanuts and causes swelling, sneezing and difficulty breathing

is the immediate excessive immune response specifically to an allergen sometimes life threatening
hypersensitivity
vshypersensitivity reaction
5 7.0

A very strong reaction to food, touch, or criticism

is specifically an inappropriate immune response to an allergen not just sensitivity
supersensitivity
vshypersensitivity reaction
  • Specialized
8.4

An unusually strong body response to a drug or chemical

is focused on immune reactions to allergens rather than general cellular overreaction

Antonyms

tolerance
  • Specialized
43 4.8

Ability to survive in bad conditions like heat or drought

How Severe

anaphylactic shock
  • Specialized
10 6.7
hypersensitivity reaction
  • Specialized
5.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

hypersensitivity + reaction

The phrase is directly compositional: 'hypersensitivity' means an excessive response and 'reaction' means a bodily/physiological response, so together they denote an excessive bodily response to an allergen. Although it is a medical term with varying severity, its meaning is transparently derivable from the constituent words and similar constructions exist across languages.

Etymology

Hypersensitivity reaction comes from the idea that the body's defense is hyper, meaning 'too much', and sensitivity, meaning 'easily affected', so it reacts strongly to harmless things like pollen or some foods. That's why a hypersensitivity reaction means a 'too strong or wrong reaction' by the body, causing sneezing, rashes, swelling, or in serious cases, shock.