ANTITOXIC SERUM Meaning and
Definition
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Antitoxic serum, also known as antivenom or antivenin, is a specialized medical product or medicine used to treat venomous bites or stings from animals. It is a serum that contains specific antibodies capable of neutralizing the toxic components of venom produced by certain creatures such as snakes, spiders, scorpions, or marine animals like jellyfish or sea snakes.
The antitoxic serum is typically derived from the blood of an animal that has been immunized against the venom. The animal is usually a horse, sheep, or goat, and it is injected with controlled amounts of venom over a period of time. This exposure to venom stimulates the animal's immune system to produce antibodies against the toxins.
Once enough antibodies have been produced, the animal's blood is collected and processed to isolate the specific antibodies in the form of serum. This serum is then purified and standardized to ensure its safety and efficacy. It is generally administered through intravenous infusion or injection, as the antibodies act quickly to bind to and neutralize the venom in the recipient's body.
Antitoxic serum is a critical treatment option in cases of venomous envenomations, as it can help prevent or minimize the harmful effects of the toxins released into the bloodstream. It works by blocking the venom's ability to attach to human cells and disrupt normal physiological processes. However, it is important to administer antitoxic serum as quickly as possible after a venomous bite or sting to maximize its effectiveness.
It is worth noting that antitoxic serum should only be used under the guidance of trained medical professionals, as it carries risks of adverse reactions, such as anaphylactic shock. Additionally, its availability may be limited in certain regions, necessitating appropriate preparedness and access to other medical interventions.
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• A serum containing the antitoxin of the pathogenic microorganism, against infection by which it is protective or curative.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ANTITOXIC SERUM
- zntitoxic serum
- sntitoxic serum
- wntitoxic serum
- qntitoxic serum
- abtitoxic serum
- amtitoxic serum
- ajtitoxic serum
- ahtitoxic serum
- anritoxic serum
- anfitoxic serum
- angitoxic serum
- anyitoxic serum
- an6itoxic serum
- an5itoxic serum
- antutoxic serum
- antjtoxic serum
- antktoxic serum
- antotoxic serum
- ant9toxic serum
- ant8toxic serum
Etymology of ANTITOXIC SERUM
The word "antitoxic" is derived from the combination of two words: "anti-" and "toxic".
- "Anti-" comes from the Greek preposition "anti" (ἀντὶ), meaning "against" or "opposite". It is commonly used as a prefix in English to indicate opposition or action against something. In the context of "antitoxic", it denotes something that acts against or counteracts toxins.
- "Toxic" originates from the Latin word "toxicus", which is derived from the Greek word "toxikon pharmakon" (τοξικὸν φάρμακον). It refers to something poisonous or harmful to living organisms, particularly to humans or animals.
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