Immunostimulant

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Immunostimulant

An Immunostimulant is a substance, which stimulates the immune system by inducing activation or increasing activity of any of its components. Immunostimulants are widely used in the field of therapeutics and vaccinology.

Types of Immunostimulants[edit | edit source]

Immunostimulants can be categorized into two broad types: specific immunostimulants and non-specific immunostimulants.

Specific Immunostimulants[edit | edit source]

Specific immunostimulants provide antigenic specificity in immune response, such as vaccines and antigens. They are used to prevent and treat various diseases.

Non-Specific Immunostimulants[edit | edit source]

Non-specific immunostimulants provide non-antigenic push to the immune response. Examples include interferons and interleukins.

Uses of Immunostimulants[edit | edit source]

Immunostimulants are used to enhance the immune response in the prevention and treatment of various diseases and conditions such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and infectious diseases. They are also used in immunodeficient conditions and in some cases of autoimmune disorders.

Potential Risks and Side Effects[edit | edit source]

While immunostimulants can be beneficial, they also carry potential risks and side effects. Overstimulation of the immune system can lead to autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, and other health problems. Side effects can range from mild, such as fatigue and fever, to severe, such as organ damage.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD