Antihemagglutinin

/ˌæntiˌhɛməɡˈluːtənɪn/ noun

Definition

An antibody or substance that counteracts hemagglutinin, a protein on viruses like influenza that causes red blood cells to clump together.

Etymology

From anti- (against) + hemagglutinin (hemo- blood + glutinin from Latin 'glutinare' to glue). A term from immunology describing immune response to viral proteins.

Kelly Says

Your body creates antihemagglutinin antibodies when you get the flu shot—these invisible defenders teach your immune system to recognize and destroy the flu virus before it can make you sick.

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