Glossary

Anaphylaxis
Rapidly progressing, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction of the immune system to a substance, causing a release of histamines that can cause airway obstruction or shock

Anti-D
Immunoglobulins with antibody against the "D" or Rh(_O) blood group antigen

Autoimmune disease
A disease in which the body attacks one or more otherwise normal organ systems. More than 80 autoimmune diseases have been identified, affecting as many as 14 million Americans according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Bilirubin
A bile with a reddish or red-yellow pigment, caused by a breakdown of hemoglobin

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
A disorder in which proteins that control blood clotting are overactive, resulting in an excess of small blood clots not in response to injury, which depletes platelets and clotting factors, potentially causing severe bleeding.

Enveloped virus
A virus that has a covering, or envelope, over its outer shell, which is used to help the virus enter host cells

Extravascular
Located outside of the blood vessels

Hematologist
A doctor who specializes in blood and blood disorders

Hemolysis
Alteration or destruction of red blood cells, leading to release of hemoglobin into blood plasma

Idiopathic
Of unknown origin, such as a disease in which the cause is not known

Incidence
The rate of occurrence of new cases of a disease in a specific period of time

IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin)
A sterile solution of concentrated antibodies extracted from human plasma, and administered intravenously

Oncologist
A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer

Plasma
The portion of blood that does not include red cells or platelets, but contains gamma globulin, albumin, clotting factors, and other proteins. Learn more about plasma therapies, collection, and CSL manufacturing.

Platelets
Small cells (less than 1/10,000 of a centimeter in diameter) circulating in the blood that stick to and spread on the walls of a damaged blood vessel to promote clotting

Prevalence
The total number of existing cases of a disease at a specific time

Purpura
A condition characterized by hemorrhages in the skin and mucous membranes that cause purplish bruises or patches.

Splenectomy
Surgical removal of the spleen, sometimes recommended as a treatment option because in ITP, the spleen is the location where red blood cells destroy platelets

Thrombocytopenia
A condition in which a person has an abnormally small number of platelets circulating in the blood