szérumolás

Szérumolás, also known as serum therapy, is a medical treatment that involves administering antibodies to an individual to provide passive immunity against a specific disease or toxin. This immunity is passive because the body's own immune system is not actively producing the antibodies; rather, they are supplied externally. Szérumolás is typically used in situations where immediate protection is required or when the body's immune response would be too slow or insufficient to be effective.

The antibodies used in szérumolás are often derived from the plasma of animals or humans who have been immunized against the target agent. For example, antitoxins derived from horses are commonly used to treat snakebites or botulism. In some cases, human-derived antibodies, known as immunoglobulins, are used to treat various infectious diseases or immune deficiencies. The administration is usually done through injection.

The effectiveness of szérumolás depends on the promptness of administration and the specificity of the antibodies used. While it can be life-saving, potential side effects can occur, including allergic reactions, particularly if the serum is derived from a different species. Careful patient selection and monitoring are therefore crucial aspects of this therapeutic approach. Szérumolás is a significant tool in emergency medicine and in managing certain chronic conditions.