sensitisiert

Sensitisiert is a German term derived from sensibilisieren (to sensitize). As a form of the verb, it denotes that something has become more sensitive or that someone has been made aware or more responsive. The exact meaning depends on context, with common uses in medicine, psychology, and public health.

In medicine and immunology, sensitization denotes the process by which the immune system becomes reactive to a previously harmless substance, such as an allergen. After initial exposure, specific antibodies and immune cells are primed, and later encounters can provoke allergic reactions of varying severity.

In psychology and pharmacology, sensitization describes an increased response to a stimulus after repeated exposure. This can include heightened emotional reactivity, increased sensory sensitivity, or an augmented drug effect. It contrasts with habituation, where responses weaken with repetition.

In public discourse, sensitization refers to efforts to raise awareness of issues and to induce more sympathetic, informed, or preventive attitudes among the public, such as health risks or environmental concerns.