What is hypersensitivity?

What is hypersensitivity?

• A. An overactive immune response to an antigen, which can lead to inflammation and tissue damage.
• B. A complete lack of immune response.
• C. A normal response during infection.
• D. A reaction that only occurs in the digestive tract.

Answer: (A)

Hypersensitivity is when the immune system reacts too strongly or inappropriately to a substance that is normally harmless, causing inflammation and tissue injury. This means the defense system goes beyond protecting the body and ends up damaging it. The best description captures that overactive, misdirected response to an antigen, which can lead to inflammation and harm to tissues. Hypersensitivity can take different forms—immediate or delayed—and can involve various organs, such as skin, lungs, or blood vessels, depending on the mechanism. It isn’t simply a lack of response, nor a normal infection defense, and it isn’t restricted to the digestive tract.

Hypersensitivity is when the immune system reacts too strongly or inappropriately to a substance that is normally harmless, causing inflammation and tissue injury. This means the defense system goes beyond protecting the body and ends up damaging it. The best description captures that overactive, misdirected response to an antigen, which can lead to inflammation and harm to tissues. Hypersensitivity can take different forms—immediate or delayed—and can involve various organs, such as skin, lungs, or blood vessels, depending on the mechanism. It isn’t simply a lack of response, nor a normal infection defense, and it isn’t restricted to the digestive tract.