What is hypersensitivity?

Hypersensitivity refers to an exaggerated immune response to an antigen. This heightened reaction can lead to tissue damage and various clinical symptoms, depending on the type of hypersensitivity, which can range from allergies (such as pollen or certain foods) to more severe reactions like anaphylaxis.

The immune system is designed to protect the body from harmful pathogens, but in cases of hypersensitivity, it overreacts to harmless substances, mistaking them as threats. This can result in symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and in severe cases, systemic reactions that can be life-threatening.

Understanding hypersensitivity is essential because it highlights the complexities of the immune system and how it can sometimes function improperly, leading to health issues that require careful management and treatment. This contrasts with a normal immune response, which is aimed at effectively neutralizing actual threats, and emphasizes the difference between ordinary immune activities and those that are pathological in nature, like autoimmune diseases and weakened immune responses.