Seronegative意思

"Seronegative" is a term used in medicine to describe a person who tests negative for certain antibodies in their blood serum. The term "sero" comes from the Latin word for serum, which is the clear liquid that separates from blood when it is allowed to clot. "Negative" means that the antibodies are not present or are below the detectable level in the serum.

Seronegative tests are commonly used to diagnose infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and other conditions where the presence of specific antibodies is indicative of the disease. For example, a person who tests seronegative for HIV antibodies does not have HIV, while a person who tests seronegative for rheumatoid factor may not have rheumatoid arthritis.

It's important to note that being seronegative does not necessarily mean that a person is healthy or does not have any medical conditions. Some diseases can be present even if the corresponding antibodies are not detected in the blood. Additionally, some people may become seropositive over time as their bodies produce antibodies in response to a disease or infection.