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A(na)DCT | by ChicoScience | 2002-01-03 10:45:16 |
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gotta questio for ya (na)doc ;) | by nimdokk | 2002-01-03 12:04:02 |
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Okey dokey... | by ChicoScience | 2002-01-03 12:15:12 |
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cool - thanks | by nimdokk | 2002-01-03 12:28:04 |
| Clarifications... |
by ChicoScience |
2002-01-03 12:51:29 |
Actually, an allergic response is a different type of immune response involving different cells. Although allergic responses do have some similar mechanisms and can appear the same... ie the inflammation. By and large allergic responses aren't specific, acquired immune responses, but just a general susceptibility of your non-specific immune system (quick aside, you've got two major arms of the immune system.. the specific response and the general response.. specific, which is your B-cells and T-cells, are triggered and target specific diseases and take some time to build up.. your general/non-spec response is a wide range of cells that respond to anything that isn't you. including allergens like pollen, cat dander, etc... this part is pretty important because it wipes out more infections before they even last long enough for your T-cells and B-cells to get involved).
Your response to tuberculin (the skin test) is courtesy of memory B-cells (B-cells produce antibodies, memory ones hang around indefinitely after infection).
As for going into a coma due to a PPD (tuberculin) skin test... that would be exceedingly rare. Persons who have tested positive for TB shouldn't bother wasting anyones time with a skin test (it'll always be positive). If they show symptoms of TB, they should have a chest x-ray and a proper exam. If a job or something like that requests a TB test, proof of a prior positive should suffice. Generally the worst reaction to a TB skin test is a very strong inflammatory response causing the whole arm to swell and causing a great deal of discomfort. I've never heard of cases of a skin test causing a reaction even remotely severe enough to cause a coma. However, there are certain TB drugs that were used back in the 50s and 60s that did have the possible side effect of inducing comas.
that help? |
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[ Reply ] |
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hmmm | by nimdokk | 2002-01-03 14:38:18 |
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