Attention, chocolate lovers: You may not be able to help yourselves. Swiss and British scientists have linked the widespread love of chocolate to a chemical "signature" that may be programmed into our metabolic systems.
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Serum Sickness
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
- Attribution
- View All
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Serum is the fluid left over when blood cells are taken out of the blood. Serum sickness refers to a set of symptoms that occurs when a person's immune system reacts to a medication or other similar substance. It is a type of allergic reaction.
What is going on in the body?
A person with serum sickness has an immune system reaction after taking a medication or similar substance. The immune system makes proteins called antibodies to attack the medication. This reaction of the immune system causes inflammation throughout the body and the symptoms of serum sickness. In most cases, when the person stops using the medication or other substance, the symptoms go away.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
Serum sickness is most often caused when a person takes or receives one of the following substances:
Other substances may also cause this condition.