Glossary of key terms
active immunity:
the formation of antibodies secondary to exposure to a specific antigen; leads to the formation of plasma cells,
antibodies and memory cells to immediately produce antibodies if exposed to that antigen in the future; imparts lifelong immunity
antitoxins:
immune sera that contain antibodies to specific toxins produced by invaders; may prevent the toxin from adhering to body
tissues and causing disease
antivenins:
immune sera that contain antibodies to specific venins produced by poisonous snakes or spiders; may prevent the venom
from causing cell death
biologicals:
vaccines, immune sera and antitoxins that are used to stimulate the production of antibodies, to provide preformed
antibodies to facilitate an immune reaction or to react specifically with the toxins produced by an invading pathogen
immune sera:
preformed antibodies found in immune globulin from animals or humans who have had a specific disease and
developed antibodies to it
immunisation:
the process of stimulating active immunity by exposing the body to weakened or less toxic proteins associated with
specific disease-causing organisms; the goal is to stimulate immunity without causing the full course of a disease
passive immunity:
the injection of preformed antibodies into a host at high risk for exposure to a specific disease; immunity is limited
by the amount of circulating antibody
serum sickness:
reaction of a host to injected antibodies or foreign sera; host cells make antibodies to the foreign proteins, and a
massive immune reaction can occur
vaccine:
immunisation containing weakened or altered protein antigens to stimulate a specific antibody formation against a specific
disease; refers to a product used to stimulate active immunity
Test your current knowledge of vaccines and sera with a PrepU Practice Quiz!
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to:
1.
Define the terms active immunity and passive immunity.
2.
Describe the therapeutic actions, indications, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, most common adverse
effects and important drug–drug interactions associated with each vaccine, immune serum, antitoxin and
antivenin.
3.
Discuss the use of vaccines and sera across the lifespan, including recommended immunisation schedules.
4.
Compare and contrast the prototype drugs for each class of vaccine and immune serum with others in that
class.
5.
Outline the care considerations and teaching needs for people receiving a vaccine or immune serum.
Vaccines and sera
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