Immunology Glossary

adjective a word that describes a noun or pronoun, in this case, 'allergic' describes a person who has an allergy or sensitivity to something

• She is allergic to peanuts and must be careful when dining out.
• I'm allergic to cats, so I can't come over to your place if you have one.
• I can't eat shellfish, I'm allergic AF.
• He's allergic to hard work, always finding excuses to avoid it.

noun a damaging immune response by the body to a substance, especially pollen, fur, a particular food, or dust, to which it has become hypersensitive

• The doctor diagnosed her with a severe peanut allergy.
• I can't eat shellfish because of my allergy.
• I have a pollen allergy, so I hate going outside in the spring.
• His allergy to criticism makes it difficult for him to accept feedback.

noun a substance that neutralizes the effects of a toxin

• The doctor administered antitoxin to the patient to counteract the effects of the venom.
• I heard they gave him some antitoxin to help with the snake bite.
• They hooked her up with some antitoxin after she got bit by that spider.
• Learning to forgive is like an emotional antitoxin that helps heal old wounds.

noun intense eagerness or enthusiasm

adjective having an intense desire or craving

• Her avidity for learning new languages led her to enroll in multiple language courses.
• His avidity for video games is unmatched among his friends.
• I can't believe the avidity she has for that TV show, she's obsessed!
• The avidity with which he pursued his dreams was truly inspiring.

adjective relating to or characteristic of body fluids, especially blood

• The humoral theory of medicine posits that bodily health is determined by the balance of four humors.
• Some people believe in the humoral theory of medicine, where your health depends on the balance of different bodily fluids.
• I don't buy into that whole humoral theory stuff, it sounds like pseudoscience to me.
• In a figurative sense, the humoral balance of a person's emotions can greatly impact their overall well-being.

noun a state of excessive sensitivity in a person or animal, either in a specific part of the body or throughout the body

• Hypersensitivity to certain allergens can trigger severe allergic reactions.
• I have a hypersensitivity to pollen, so I always carry my allergy medication with me.
• My friend is so hypersensitive to criticism, she can't handle any feedback.
• His hypersensitivity to criticism acted like a barrier to constructive feedback.

noun a person who is immune to a particular disease

adjective protected from a particular disease or from the effects of something

• The immune system plays a crucial role in protecting the body from infections.
• I think my immune system is pretty strong because I rarely get sick.
• I need to boost my immune system before flu season hits.
• His immune response to criticism is impressive; nothing seems to faze him.

adjective likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing

• Individuals with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infections.
• People who don't take care of their health are more susceptible to getting sick.
• If you keep eating junk food, you'll be more susceptible to feeling gross.
• His ego is so fragile that he is highly susceptible to criticism.

adjective not susceptible or responsive; immune or resistant to something

• The new vaccine has proven to be highly effective, making the population unsusceptible to the virus.
• I guess some people are just naturally unsusceptible to allergies.
• She's like totally unsusceptible to drama, it's amazing.
• His strong willpower made him unsusceptible to negative influences.

noun A type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infection and disease

• White corpuscles, also known as white blood cells, are a vital part of the immune system.
• Did you know that white corpuscles help fight off infections in our bodies?
• Those white corpuscles are like the superheroes of our blood!
• Think of white corpuscles as the body's defense team, always ready to protect us from harm.

adjective describing a person or organism with a weakened immune system, making them more susceptible to infections

• It is important to take extra precautions around individuals who are immunocompromised.
• We need to be careful around people who have a weakened immune system.
• Gotta watch out for those with a compromised immune system.
• Being immunocompromised is like having a shield that's not as strong as it should be.

noun a person who specializes in the study of viruses and viral diseases

• The virologist conducted a thorough analysis of the new virus strain.
• I heard the virologist is working on finding a cure for the flu.
• That virologist is a real virus hunter.
• The virologist is like a detective solving the mysteries of infectious diseases.

noun abbreviation for human endogenous retroviruses, which are remnants of ancient retroviral infections integrated into the human genome

• The study focused on the potential impact of HERVs on human health.
• Scientists are researching how HERVs may affect our bodies.
• I heard HERVs can mess with your DNA.
• HERVs are like ancient genetic fossils embedded within our genome.

noun the diagnostic testing of blood serum

• Serology is the study of blood serum and other bodily fluids for diagnostic purposes.
• The doctor ordered a serology test to check for any infections.
• I heard serology is like CSI for doctors, they can find out so much from a little blood sample.
• In a way, serology is like a genetic fingerprint, revealing unique information about a person's health.

noun a collection of viruses present in a particular environment or host

• The study of the virome involves analyzing the genetic material of viruses present in a specific environment.
• I find it fascinating how diverse the virome can be in different ecosystems.
• Have you checked out the latest research on the virome? It's pretty mind-blowing stuff.
• Exploring the virome is like delving into a hidden world of microscopic organisms.

noun a collection of lymphoid tissue in the small intestine responsible for immune responses

• Peyer's patches are small areas of lymphoid tissue found in the small intestine.
• You can think of Peyer's patches as little immune system stations in your gut.
• Those Peyer's patches are like the body's own security guards in the intestines.
• Just like Peyer's patches stand guard in the gut, we need to protect ourselves from harmful invaders in our lives.

adjective a term used to describe something that lacks a capsule or outer covering

• The bacteria was identified as acapsular, meaning it lacked a protective outer layer.
• The doctor said the infection was caused by an acapsular strain of bacteria.
• I heard that acapsular bugs are harder to treat with antibiotics.
• Her argument was acapsular, lacking any substantial evidence to support her claims.