Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID)
Definition:Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, often abbreviated as SCID, is a serious medical condition that someone is born with. It affects the immune system, which is the body's defense against infections. In SCID, certain types of white blood cells, called T cells, do not work properly because of changes (mutations) in specific genes. This means that children with SCID are very vulnerable to infections and can become very sick. If left untreated, SCID can be deadly, usually within the first year or two of life.
Usage Instructions: - Use "severe combined immunodeficiency" when discussing health conditions, particularly in a medical or educational context. - It is often used when talking about children's health and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Example Sentence:"Babies with severe combined immunodeficiency require special care and treatment to help protect them from infections."
Advanced Usage: In medical discussions or research, SCID might be referred to using its abbreviation, "SCID," especially in scholarly articles or healthcare settings.
Word Variants: - Immunodeficiency: The general term for having an immune system that does not work properly. - Congenital: This term means that the condition is present at birth.
Different Meanings:While "immunodeficiency" refers to a weakened immune system in general, "severe combined immunodeficiency" specifies a particular type that affects both T cells and B cells in the immune system.
Synonyms: - Immune deficiency disorder - Genetic immunodeficiency
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:There are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that specifically relate to "severe combined immunodeficiency," as it is a very specific medical term. However, you might hear phrases like "under the weather," which refers to feeling unwell, but this is not specific to SCID.
Conclusion: In summary, "severe combined immunodeficiency" is a critical health condition that affects infants, making them more susceptible to infections due to a malfunctioning immune system.