anaphylactic shock

anaphylactic shock
anaphylaxis anaphylaxis n. 1. [Gr. 'ana` back, way from + fy`laxis security, protection.]

1. (Med.) hypersensitivity (to a protein or drug) resulting from prior contact with a substance. [WordNet 1.5]

2. (Med.) an immediate but transient allergic reaction to an antigenic substance to which a person has become hypersensitized; it is characterized by the contraction of smooth muscle and capillary dilation. These reactions are caused by the release of certain substances such as histamine, bradykinin, serotonin, and slow-reacting substance in response to the reaction of the antigen with a mast cell-fixed antibody, chiefly IgE. This term is sometimes used to refer to the severe form of the reaction called {anaphylactic shock}. --[Stedman] [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • anaphylactic shock — n. (Med.) a severe form of physiological shock, often having a fatal outcome, caused by an extreme immunological reaction to antigens. It is a severe form of {anaphylaxis[2]}, and is characterized by smooth muscle contraction and capillary… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • anaphylactic shock — n an often severe and sometimes fatal systemic reaction in a susceptible individual upon a second exposure to a specific antigen (as wasp venom or penicillin) after previous sensitization that is characterized esp. by respiratory symptoms,… …   Medical dictionary

  • anaphylactic shock — noun a severe and rapid and sometimes fatal hypersensitivity reaction to a substance (especially a vaccine or penicillin or shellfish or insect venom) to which the organism has become sensitized by previous exposure • Hypernyms: ↑anaphylaxis * *… …   Useful english dictionary

  • anaphylactic shock — an|a|phy|lac|tic shock [ˌænəfılæktık ˈʃɔk US ˈʃa:k] n [U] medical a very sudden serious physical reaction that is caused by an ↑allergy to something such as nuts, eggs, or the ↑sting of some insects. The reaction causes shock, breathing… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • anaphylactic shock — an|a|phy|lac|tic shock [ ,ænəfı læktık ʃɒk ] noun uncount MEDICAL a serious medical reaction caused by someone eating or touching something that they are ALLERGIC to (=something that makes them sick). Common causes are nuts, eggs, and drugs such… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • anaphylactic shock — noun Date: 1910 an often severe and sometimes fatal systemic reaction in a susceptible individual upon exposure to a specific antigen (as wasp venom or penicillin) after previous sensitization that is characterized especially by respiratory… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • anaphylactic shock — Pathol. a severe and sometimes fatal allergic reaction to a foreign substance, esp. a protein, as serum or bee venom, to which an individual has become sensitized, often involving rapid swelling, acute respiratory distress, and collapse of… …   Universalium

  • anaphylactic shock — noun A severe and rapid systemic allergic reaction to an allergen, constricting the trachea and preventing breathing. Syn: anaphylaxis …   Wiktionary

  • anaphylactic shock — UK [ˌænəfɪlæktɪk ˈʃɒk] / US [ˌænəfɪˈlæktɪk ʃɒk] noun [uncountable] medical a serious medical reaction caused by someone eating or touching something that they are allergic to (= something that makes them ill). Common causes are nuts, eggs, and… …   English dictionary

  • anaphylactic shock — /ænəfəlæktɪk ˈʃɒk/ (say anuhfuhlaktik shok) noun an acute systemic reaction produced by an allergen to which the victim has become sensitised …  

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