Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a weakened or impaired immune system: The term "immunocompromised" describes a state in which the body's immune system is not functioning at its normal capacity. This makes a person more susceptible to infections and diseases that a healthy immune system could typically fight off.

Usage

• The adjective "immunocompromised" is used to describe a person, patient, or state of health. It is often used in medical and public health contexts.
• It can be used attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "is" or "are").

Examples

• Attributive use (before a noun):
  • Immunocompromised patients are advised to take extra precautions during flu season.
  • The vaccine may not be as effective for immunocompromised individuals.
• Predicative use (after a linking verb):
  • After the organ transplant, she was immunocompromised for several months.
  • People undergoing chemotherapy are often immunocompromised.

Advanced Usage

• "to be immunocompromised": This is the most common construction, stating the condition of having a weakened immune system.
  • Due to his genetic condition, he has been immunocompromised since birth.
• "to become immunocompromised": Used to describe the process or event leading to the weakened state.
  • The disease can cause a person to become immunocompromised.

Variants and Related Words

• Immunocompromise (noun): The state or condition of having a weakened immune system.
  • The main risk factor for the infection is severe immunocompromise.
• Immunodeficiency (noun): A specific failure or deficiency in the immune system, often used as a more technical synonym for the cause of being immunocompromised.
• Immunosuppressed (adjective): Often used interchangeably with "immunocompromised," but it can more specifically refer to a state induced by drugs or therapy that suppress the immune system.

Synonyms

• Immunodeficient: Having an immune system that is not fully functional.
• Immunosuppressed: Having a deliberately or therapeutically suppressed immune response.

Antonyms

• Immunocompetent: Having a fully functioning and effective immune system.

Adjective

1. unable to develop a normal immune response usually because of malnutrition or immunodeficiency or immunosuppressive therapy