What it means
Includes white blood cells, antibodies, the bone marrowbone MAIR-ohThe soft, spongy tissue inside bones that makes blood cells.Full entry , the thymus, the spleen and the lymph nodelimf nohdA small, bean-shaped organ of the immune system that filters lymph fluid and holds white blood cells.Full entry . It recognizes what does not belong in the body, such as bacteria, viruses and cancer cells, and works to destroy it. When it overreacts the result is an allergyAL-er-jeeA reaction of the immune system to a substance that is harmless to most people.Full entry or hypersensitivityhy-per-sen-sih-TIV-ih-teeAn overreaction of the immune system to a substance that is usually harmless.hyper- above, more than normalsensitiv feeling, reacting-ity stateFull entry ; when it attacks the body's own tissue the result is an autoimmune disease such as lupusLOO-pusSystemic lupus erythematosus: a long-term autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body's own tissues.Full entry ; when it is weak the result is immunodeficiencyim-yoo-noh-dih-FISH-un-seeA state in which the immune system is weaker than normal and cannot fight infection well.immun/o immune, protectionde- lack of-ency stateFull entry .
For the nurse
Clients with a weakened immune system (from chemotherapy, steroids, transplant drugs or HIV) may not show the usual signs of infection, such as fever or redness. Teach strict hand hygiene, food safety and avoiding sick contacts.
At a glance
| Spanish | sistema inmunitario |
|---|---|
| Also written | immune systems |
Related terms
allergy
A reaction of the immune system to a substance that is harmless to most people.
lymph node
A small, bean-shaped organ of the immune system that filters lymph fluid and holds white blood cells.
bone marrow
The soft, spongy tissue inside bones that makes blood cells.
hypersensitivity
An overreaction of the immune system to a substance that is usually harmless.
immunodeficiency
A state in which the immune system is weaker than normal and cannot fight infection well.