I - Innvista

Iatrogenic

A term applied to any medical condition, disease, or adverse occurrence resulting from medical treatment, literally meaning “physician-produced.”

Icosahedron

A specific geometrical shape of twenty triangular faces and twelve corners occurring in many virus particles.

Idiopathic

Of an unknown cause.

Immune response

The manner in which the body’s defence system fights invasive organisms.

Immune system organs

Includes: bone marrow, thymus gland, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, adenoids, appendix, Peyer’s patches in the small intestine, blood, and lymphatic vessels.

Immunity

The natural or acquired ability of the body to recognize and neutalize foreign matter.

Immunization

The introduction by injection of specific antigens, antibodies, or immune cells.

Immunocompromised

Weakening the immune system through the use of drugs and medications, radiation treatments, malnutrition, and by certain disease processes.

Immunoglobulin

A glycoprotein functioning as an antibody and formed in response to certain foreign bodies (antigens). There are several classes of immunoglobulin, each with a separate function (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM).

Immunology

The study of disease resistance and how the immune system responds to infectious agents.

Immunosuppressive drugs

Substances that reduce or halt immune response. All drugs do this to varying degrees.

Impetigo

A superficial bacterial (Group A Strep) skin infection associated with pus producing, then encrusted lesions.

Incubation period

The time between when an infectious agent enters the body and the appearance of the first signs and symptoms of an impending illness.

Indigenous

A term meaning native to a given environment.

Infection

The growth of a harmful organism within the body.

Infestation

A parasitic attack of organs or tissues.

Inflammation

A localized response to an injury or destruction of tissues producing redness, swelling, and other symptoms, depending on the site and amount of involvement.

Influenza viruses

Do not cause intestinal problems, thus, “stomach flu” is a misnomer. They do cause symptoms of fever, fatigue, coughing, and achiness, but can be more dangerous for the elderly, malnourished, or individuals already suffering from other chronic conditions. It is the sixth most common cause of death in the US (up to 40,000 deaths each year). The viruses that cause the flu are very prone to mutation and can last for hours in dried mucous. This is the reason that manufacturing vaccines are almost an impossibility. Influenza viruses are rugged-shaped spheres protected by layers of protein and fat that contain long spiral chains of genetic material that look much like animal chromosomes. The spheres take over a host by using more than 700 protein rods called antigens that fuse onto red blood cells intruding into their membranes. In order to reproduce, the virus’ chains must untangle, causing numerous opportunities for mishaps to occur that might kill the offspring or make future generations more potent. The human immune system’s antibodies are attracted to the rods, but the viral antigens may change over time like a moving target. Thus, a successful bout against a variety of flu viruses does not mean immunity.

Interferon

A substance produced by infected cells that inhibits specific viral growth. Four commercial brands of interferon are available in the United States. This therapy is prescribed by liver specialists, and requires careful patient education and monitoring to be administered safely. The form of interferon used most often is Interferon alpha-2B (Intron-A). Approximately one half of subjects treated with Intron-A respond with normalization or near-normalization of liver blood tests by six months. Unfortunately, most will relapse by two years after completion of therapy, and many require long term low-dose treatment, or other options. The long term, virus-free success rate with Intron-A is well under 10%. Interferons alpha and beta are antiviral substances produced by infected cells, preventing infection of neighboring cells. Interferon gamma is a cytokine formed by immune cells. Interferon alpha is a naturally occurring protein used to treat certain viral infections. Recently, the FDA approved a new form of time-released interferon called Pegulated, which will now allow patients once a week injections vs. three times a week, as has been the case to date. Along with such host defence mechanisms as phagocytosis and antibody formation, cells have a special built-in defense mechanism that produces a group of substances called interferons that limit the proliferation of viruses.

Interleukin II

A type of cytokine that carries vital signals between immune cells. It is the basic driving force for T cells and needed for their growth. There are about eighteen different interleukins.

Intradermal

Within the layer of the skin that contains the nerve endings, sweat glands, and blood and lymph vessels.

In vitro

Outside a host, as in a test tube or container.

In vivo

In life or specifically in a living host.

Ion

An atom or molecule carrying an electric charge.

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