anaphylactic shock

noun

1. Pathology. a severe and sometimes fatal allergic reaction to a foreign substance, especially a protein, as serum or bee venom, to which an individual has become sensitized, often involving rapid swelling, acute respiratory distress, and collapse of circulation. Compare cardiogenic shock ( def ), hypovolemic shock ( def ).

anaphylactic shock

noun

1. a severe, sometimes fatal, reaction to a substance to which a person has an extreme sensitivity, often involving respiratory difficulty and circulation failure

anaphylactic shock

/ ăn′ə-fə-lăk′tĭk /

1. A sudden, life-threatening allergic reaction, characterized by dilation of blood vessels with a sharp drop in blood pressure and bronchial spasm with shortness of breath. Anaphylactic shock is caused by exposure to a foreign substance, such as a drug or bee venom, to which the individual has been previously exposed. The substances act as antigens, provoking a preliminary immune response during the first exposure that results in a full-blown, immediate response during secondary exposure, called an immediate hypersensitivity reaction. Emergency treatment, including epinephrine injections, must be administered to prevent death.
2. Also called anaphylaxis

Word History and Origins

Origin of anaphylactic shock¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

To avoid anaphylactic shock, this dose must be incredibly small.

From Project Gutenberg