| flu vaccine | The flu (influenza) vaccine is recommended for persons at high risk for serious complications from influenza infection, including everyone 65 or over; people with chronic diseases of the heart, lung or kidneys, diabetes, immunosuppression, or severe forms of anaemia; residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities, children and teenagers on long-term aspirin therapy (and who may therefore be at risk for developing Reye syndrome after an influenza infection), and those in close or frequent contact with anyone at high risk. Persons with an allergy to eggs should not receive influenza vaccine. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| paroxysmal cold haemoglobinuria | <haematology> A rare blood disorder caused by antibodies which destroy red blood cells upon exposure to the cold. The antibodies are formed against a specific blood group and are triggered by the cold. The cause is unknown but the disease has been associated with syphilis and some viral infections. Serum haemoglobin and urine haemoglobin are increased during the attacks. The disease is chronic and treatment is difficult. Some cases resolve spontaneously without treatment. Origin: Gr. Ouron = urine (27 Sep 1997) |
| rose cold | Allergic rhinitis occurring in the spring and early summer. (05 Mar 2000) |
| warm-cold haemolysin | Haemolysin which combines with red blood cells at temperatures below 20캜 and are eluted at warmer temperatures, e.g., 30 to 37캜. See: Donath-Landsteiner cold autoantibody, haemagglutinating cold autoantibody. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold | <virology> A slang term that describes a viral upper respiratory infection which results from inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nasal cavity. (27 Sep 1997) |
| cold abscess | An abscess without heat or other usual signs of inflammation. Synonym: tuberculous abscess. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold agglutination | The agglutination of red blood cells by their own serum (see autoagglutination), or by any other serum when the blood is cooled below body temperature, but most pronounced below 25캜; the phenomenon results from cold agglutinins; may be seen occasionally in the blood of apparently normal persons or as a pathologic finding in patients with primary atypical pneumonia, infectious mononucleosis, and other viral diseases, certain protozoan infections, or lymphoproliferative neoplasms. See: autoagglutination. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold agglutination test | <investigation> A test for blood antibodies which are present in certain peculiar types of pneumonia (atypical pneumonia, Mycoplasma) (27 Sep 1997) |
| cold agglutinin | An antibody which reacts more efficiently at temperatures below 37캜. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold agglutinins | <haematology> Antibodies that agglutinate particles with greater activity below 32쵣. They are IgM antibodies specifically reactive with blood groups I and i in humans and agglutinate red blood cells on cooling, causing Raynaud's phenomenon in vivo. (18 Nov 1997) |
| cold allergy | Physical symptoms produced by hypersensitivity to cold. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold antibody | See: cold agglutinin. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold autoantibody | An autoantibody that reacts at temperatures below 37캽. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold bend test | A test of the ability of a wire to be shaped; performed by counting the number of times a wire can be bent to a right angle and reversed at the same point before breaking; important in establishing specifications for orthodontic wires. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold-blooded | <physiology> Having a varying body temperature. See Homoiothermal. Origin: Gr. Changeable + E. Thermal, thermic. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |