Found 2 items, similar to anaphylactic shock.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: anaphylactic shock anaphylactic shock n : 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
English → English (gcide) Definition: anaphylactic shock anaphylactic shock \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 dilation throughout the body, initiated by antibodies of the IgE class. It is usually seen when an antigen to which a person has become hypersensitized is injected intravenously or subcutaneously. It is also called generalyzed anaphylaxis or systemic anaphylaxis, and sometimes anaphylaxis. --[Stedman] [PJC] 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]