Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction

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Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (Herxheimer reaction) (yar-ish herks-hy-mer) n. exacerbation of the symptoms of syphilis that may occur on starting antibiotic therapy for the disease. The effect is transient and requires no treatment. [ A. Jarisch (1850–1902), Austrian dermatologist; K. Herxheimer (1861–1944), German dermatologist]