Serum sickness

Serum sickness is a reactionto an antiserumderived from an animalsource. It is a type of hypersensitivity, specifically immune complex hypersensitivity. Serum sickness typically develops up to ten days after exposure to the antiserum, and symptoms are similar to an allergic reaction. However, it is different to anaphylaxis, since the symptoms are not instantaneous.

Causes

Serum sickness can be developed as a result of exposure to antibodiesderived from animals. These serums are generally administered in order to prevent infection. When the antiserumis given, the human immune systemcan mistake the proteinspresent for harmful antigens. The body produces antibodies, which combine with these proteins to form immune complexes. These complexes can cause more reactions, and cause the symptoms detailed below. Serum sickness can also be caused by several drugs, notably penicillinbased medicines.

Symptoms

Symptoms can take as long as fourteen days after exposure to appear, and may include:

• Rashes
• JointPain
• Fever
• Lymph nodeswelling
• Shock
• Decreased blood pressure

Treatment

Symptoms will generally disappear on their own, although corticosteroidsmay be prescribed in the most severe forms. Antihistaminemay also be used.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serum+sickness Wikipedia article Serum sickness.