Definitions
Suppression of the immune response caused by the progression of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which destroys the body’s infection-fighting T cells.
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
Swelling.
Edema
An illness or injury characterized by rapid onset, severe symptoms, and short duration; may require medical care.
Acute
Benign
Nonrecurring; nonmalignant. Used to describe noncancerous tumors (growths) in which the patient has a good chance of survival.
Endemic
A disease that is ongoing and restricted to a certain population, group, or area of land
A hypersensitive (exaggerated) reaction by the body to an allergen (a harmless substance that is labeled by the immune system as dangerous).
Allergy
Malignant cancer of the lymph nodes and lymphatic tissue.
Lymphoma
Enlargement of the spleen often associated with the destruction of blood cells; results in anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia.
Splenomegaly
Chronic
An illness or injury characterized by long duration and slow progression. Example: chronic lymphedema
Epidemic
A sudden, widespread outbreak of a disease within a population, group, or area of land
A severe, potentially life-threating allergic reaction. This type of reaction comes on suddenly, usually within minutes of exposure to an allergen. Symptoms include a skin rash known as hives, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, and shock
Anaphylaxis
Cancer of the blood-forming tissue of the bone marrow; causes an excessive increase in WBCs
Leukemia
Life-threatening condition in which infection-fighting chemicals released into the bloodstream trigger inflammation throughout the body. This can cause a cascade of changes that damage multiple organ systems.
Sepsis
Congenital
A condition that is present at birth and may be the result of either genetic or environmental factors.
Genetic
Inherited; passed on from one’s biological parents. Hemophilia is a genetic disorder.
Disease in which the immune system attacks the cells or tissues in one’s own body.
Autoimmune Disease
Malignant cancer of the lymphatic tissue in the spleen, liver, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Acute, infectious illness, usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, and marked by an increased number of atypical lymphocytes and monocytes. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes and fever. Colloquially known as “kissing disease” because it spreads through contact with the patient’s saliva
Mononucleosis
Convalesence
A period of gradual recovery after illness or injury.
immunological
Pertaining to an antigen-antibody reaction.
Disorder in which one or more parts of the immune system are deficient or missing. As a result, the body cannot defend itself against pathogenic invasion.
immunodeficiency disorder
A malignant cancer that starts in the lymphocytes; includes any type of lymphoma except Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Examples include B-cell lymphoma and T-cell lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Abnormal condition in which the immune system produces antibodies against (attacks) its own tissues. Rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and hypothyroidism are examples of autoimmune disorders.
Autoimmune
Debilitating
Having a weakening or fatiguing effect.
Ischemic
A condition or disease caused by a temporary deficiency in blood flow to an organ or tissue.