Medical terms - Letter I

Immunization, hepatitis B

Hepatitis B (hep B) vaccine gives prolonged protection, but 3 shots over a half year are usually required. In the U.S., all infants receive hep B vaccine. Two vaccines (Engerix-B, and Recombivax-HB) are available in the…

Immunization, HIB

This immunization is designed to prevent diseases caused by Haemophilus influenzae type B (HIB), a bacteria responsible for a range of serious 'invasive' diseases including meningitis with potential brain damage and…

Immunization, infectious hepatitis

See Immunization, hepatitis A

Immunization, influenza

Influenza: See Immunization, flu

Immunization, measles

Measles: See Immunization, MMR

Immunization, meningococcal

A vaccine to prevent meningococcal meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord due to bacterial infection by an organism called Neisseria meningitidis. The symptoms of meningococcal…

Immunization, MMR

The standard vaccine given to prevent measles, mumps and rubella (German measles). The MMR vaccine is now given in two dosages. The first should be given at 12-15 months of age. The second vaccination should be given at…

Immunization, mumps

Mumps: See Immunization, MMR

Immunization, pneumococcal

One of the two polio vaccines that are available: oral polio vaccine (OPV) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). OPV was formerly recommended for children in the U.S. but was shown to actually cause polio in extremely…

Immunization, polio

One of the two polio vaccines that are available: oral polio vaccine (OPV) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV). OPV was formerly recommended for children in the U.S. but was shown to actually cause polio in extremely…

Immunization, rubella

See Immunization, MMR.

Immunization, serum hepatitis

See Immunization, hepatitis B

Immunization, Td

Td is the vaccine given to children over six and adults as boosters for immunity to diphtheria and tetanus

Immunization, varicella

A live attenuated (weakened) viral vaccine that is recommended for people traveling to or living in tropical areas in the Americas and Africa where yellow fever occurs. Because it is a live vaccine, it should not be…

Immunization, yellow fever

A live attenuated (weakened) viral vaccine that is recommended for people traveling to or living in tropical areas in the Americas and Africa where yellow fever occurs. Because it is a live vaccine, it should not be…

Immunocompetence

The ability to produce a normal immune response

Immunocompetent

Able to develop an immune response. Able to recognize antigens and respond to them. The opposite of immunodeficient

Immunocompromised

Having an immune system that has been impaired by disease or treatment

Immunocow

A cow that has been genetically engineered to produce human antibodies. An immunocow, when challenged with an infectious agent, can produce large volumes of human antibodies against that agent. There are also immunopigs…

Immunodeficiency

Inability to mount a normal immune response. Immunodeficiency can be due to a genetic disease or acquired as in AIDS due to HIV

Immunodeficient

Lacking immunity and so susceptible to infection.

Immunodepressant

An agent that can depress or prevent the immune response. See: Immunosuppressant

Immunodepression

See immunosuppression

Immunogenetics

The genetics (inheritance) of the immune response. For example, the study of the Rh, ABO and other blood groups or the HLA system important to kidney and other transplants.

Immunoglobulin

A protein produced by plasma cells and lymphocytes and characteristic of these types of cells. Immunoglobulins play an essential role in the body's immune system. They attach to foreign substances, such as bacteria, and…

Immunoglobulin A

A major class of immunoglobulins found in serum and external body secretions such as saliva, tears, and sweat as well as in the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts. Abbreviated IgA

Immunoglobulin D

Abbreviated IgD. A class of immunoglobulins found as antibodies on the surface of B cells (B lymphocytes). Almost nothing is known about the normal function of IgD

Immunoglobulin E

Abbreviated IgG. A major class of immunoglobulins found in the blood, including many of the most common antibodies circulating in the blood. Also known as gamma globulin.

Immunoglobulin G

Abbreviated IgG. A major class of immunoglobulins found in the blood, including many of the most common antibodies circulating in the blood. Also known as gamma globulin

Immunoglobulin M

Abbreviated IgM. A major class of immunoglobulins. IgM includes the antibodies that are usually produced first in an immune response and are later replaced by other types of antibodies

Immunologist

A person who is knowledgeable about immunology.

Immunology

The study of all aspects of the immune system including its structure and function, disorders of the immune system, blood banking, immunization and organ transplantation.

Immunopig

Immunosuppressant

An agent that can suppress or prevent the immune response. Immunosuppressants are used to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ and to treat autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn's…

Immunosuppression

Suppression of the immune system. Immunosuppression may result from certain diseases such as AIDS or lymphoma or from certain drugs such as some of those used to treat cancer. Immunosuppression may also be deliberately…

Immunosuppressive

1. Pertaining to immunosuppression, the suppression of the immune system.2. An agent capable of suppressing the immune response

Immunosuppressive agent

A medication that slows or halts immune system activity. Immunosuppressive agents may be given to prevent the body from mounting an immune response after an organ transplant or for treating a disease that is caused by…

Immunotherapy

Treatment to stimulate or restore the ability of the immune (defense) system to fight infection and disease. Biological therapy is thus any form of treatment that uses the body's natural abilities that constitute the…

Immunotherapy, allergy

Stimulation of the immune system with gradually increasing doses of the substances to which a person is allergic. The aim is to modify or stop the allergy by reducing the strength of the IgE response. This form of…

Immunotoxin

A hybrid molecule created by coupling an antibody or antigen with part or all of a toxin. The hybrid molecule combines the specificity of the antibody or antigen with the toxicity of the toxin. The possible targets of…

Impact

To lodge firmly or wedge in

Impaction, dental

Teeth pressing together. For example, molar teeth (the large teeth in the back of the jaw) can be impacted, cause pain and require pain medication, antibiotics, and surgical removal.

Impaired glucose tolerance

A congenital malformation (a birth defect) in which the rectum is a blind alley (a cul-de-sac) and there is no anus. The anus is imperforate in the sense that the normal perforation we call the anus is absent. The end…

Imperforate anus

A congenital malformation (a birth defect) in which the rectum is a blind alley (a cul-de-sac) and there is no anus. The anus is imperforate in the sense that the normal perforation we call the anus is absent. The end…

Impetigo

Impetigo: A bacterial skin infection caused by the staphylococcus or, more rarely,streptococcus bacteria. The first sign of impetigo is a patch of red, itchy skin. Pustules develop on this area, soon forming crusty…

Implant

1. To embed; to set in firmly. In embryology, the fertilized egg implants in the uterine lining 6 or 7 days after conception (fertilization). In medicine today, many things may be implanted. 2. That which is embedded…

Implant, brainstem

See: Brainstem implant

Implant, cochlear

See: Cochlear implant

Implantable cardiac defibrillator

Implantable cardiac defibrillator: A device that is put within the body and is designed to recognize certain types of abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and correct them. Defibrillators continuously monitor the heart…

Implantable pacemaker

Pacemaker: A device that uses electrical impulses to regulate the heart rhythm or to reproduce that rhythm. An internal pacemaker is one in which the electrodes into the heart, the electronic circuitry and the power…