Wiktionary
n. An allergylike reaction to proteins in antiserum derived from animal sources.
WordNet
n. a delayed allergic reaction to the injection of an antiserum caused by an antibody reaction to an antigen in the donor serum [syn: serum disease]
Wikipedia
Serum sickness in humans is a reaction to proteins in antiserum derived from a non-human animal source, occurring 4–10 days after exposure. It is a type of hypersensitivity, specifically immune complex hypersensitivity ( type III). The term serum sickness-like reaction (SSLR) is occasionally used to refer to similar illnesses that arise from the introduction of certain non-protein substances. It was first characterized by Clemens von Pirquet and Béla Schick in 1906.
Usage examples of "serum sickness".
He did use the serum in time, and it proved effective, but he came down with a severe case of serum sickness.