serum sickness

noun

: an allergic reaction to the injection of foreign serum manifested by hives, swelling, eruption, arthritis, and fever

Examples of serum sickness in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Other reported effects may include fever, shortness of breath, weakness, vomiting, chills, low blood pressure, and even a challenging condition called serum sickness, in which an overactive immune response leads to fever, rash, and joint swelling. Carolyn Barber, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2020 The antibodies would be Friede’s—fully human and unlikely to induce serum sickness, a problem with most existing antivenoms. Kyle Dickman, Outside Online, 16 May 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'serum sickness.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of serum sickness was circa 1913

Dictionary Entries Near serum sickness

Cite this Entry

“Serum sickness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serum%20sickness. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

serum sickness

noun
: an allergic reaction to the injection of foreign serum manifested by hives, swelling, eruption, arthritis, and fever

called also serum disease

More from Merriam-Webster on serum sickness

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