Hypersensitivity: meaning, definitions and examples

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hypersensitivity

[ ˌhaɪpərˌsɛnsəˈtɪvɪti ]

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medical

Hypersensitivity is an exaggerated immune response to a substance that is normally harmless to most people. It can lead to a variety of symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening reactions.

Synonyms

allergy, intolerance, sensitivity

Examples of usage

His hypersensitivity to pollen causes him to have severe allergic reactions.
The doctor diagnosed her hypersensitivity to certain foods after conducting allergy tests.
The child's hypersensitivity to pet dander made it difficult for him to visit his friend's house with a cat.
Individuals with hypersensitivity to sunlight may develop skin rashes upon exposure.
She experienced hypersensitivity to noise, which made it challenging for her to concentrate in a busy environment.

Translations

Translations of the word "hypersensitivity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 hipersensibilidade

🇮🇳 अतिसंवेदनशीलता

🇩🇪 Überempfindlichkeit

🇮🇩 hipersensitivitas

🇺🇦 гіперчутливість

🇵🇱 nadwrażliwość

🇯🇵 過敏症 (かびんしょう)

🇫🇷 hypersensibilité

🇪🇸 hipersensibilidad

🇹🇷 aşırı duyarlılık

🇰🇷 과민성 (gwaminseong)

🇸🇦 فرط الحساسية

🇨🇿 přecitlivělost

🇸🇰 precitlivenosť

🇨🇳 超敏感 (chāo mǐn gǎn)

🇸🇮 preobčutljivost

🇮🇸 ofurnæmi

🇰🇿 сезімталдық

🇬🇪 ჰიპერმგრძნობელობა

🇦🇿 hiperhəssaslıq

🇲🇽 hipersensibilidad

Word origin

The term 'hypersensitivity' originated in the field of immunology to describe an excessive immune response to antigens. It was first used in medical literature in the early 20th century to explain allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases. The concept of hypersensitivity has since been expanded to include various forms of immune-mediated reactions beyond allergies, such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and drug reactions.