According to Oxford dictionary, The immune system consists of all organs, Structures and processes of the body that provide resistance or protection to(from) infection and toxins. Such organs include the thymus, bone marrow, and lymph nodes, White blood cells, Spleen, Tonsils, Adenoids, Appendix.
How it works
The immune system consists of a vast network of cells, organs, proteins, and tissues throughout the body.
A fully functional immune system can distinguish healthy tissue from unwanted substances. If it detects an unwanted substance, it will initiate an immune response — a broad attack to protect the body from invaders. It also recognizes and removes dead and faulty cells.
However, the immune system does not always get it right. For example, it may be unable to fight effectively because a person has a health condition or requires medications that affect how the system works.
The immune system mistakenly perceives healthy tissue as unhealthy in autoimmune diseases and allergies, resulting in uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous symptoms.
Overall, the immune system becomes stronger on exposure to different pathogens. By adulthood, most people have had exposure to a range of pathogens and developed more immunity.
Once the body produces an antibody, it keeps a copy so that if the same antigen appears again, the body can deal with it more quickly.
Some diseases, such as measles, can be fatal if untreated, which is why many doctors today recommend vaccination. A person who has received the measles vaccine is unlikely to contract the disease.
It is extremely rare for an unvaccinated person to contract measles again. The body stores a measles antibody in both cases. The antibody is prepared to eliminate the virus the next time it appears. This is known as immunity.
There are three types of immunity in humans:
- innate
- adaptive
- passive
Innate immunity
People are born with some level of immunity that allows them to fight off invaders from the start.
Innate immunity includes our body’s external barriers — the first line of defense against pathogens — such as the skin and mucous membranes of the throat and gut.
This is a general and nonspecific response.
If pathogens manage to bypass the innate immune system, macrophages will attack them. Macrophages will also produce substances called cytokines, which increase the inflammatory response.
Adaptive (acquired) immunity
As a person grows older, so does their resistance to pathogens.
The body develops a variety of antibodies to various pathogens as a result of vaccinations and disease exposure. Immunological memory is a term used by doctors to describe how the immune system remembers previous enemies.
Passive immunity
This is a type of temporary immunity that comes from another person.
A newborn, for example, receives antibodies from the mother through the placenta before birth and in breast milk after birth.
During the infant’s early life, this passive immunity protects them from certain infections.
Immunizations alter the body in some way, allowing it to respond more effectively to various diseases.
The most common method is to inject antigens or weakened pathogens into a person in order for the individual to produce antibodies and avoid becoming ill.
Because the body saves copies of the antibodies, the body is protected if the threat resurfaces later in life.
Doctors recommend immunization for the following diseases:
- COVID-19
- flu
- rubella
- polio
- chickenpox
- shingles
- measles
- mumps
- meningitis
- hepatitis
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type B)
- diphtheria
- tetanus
- whooping cough
- other diseases, such as yellow fever and typhoid, depending on where the person lives or travels.
Hypersensitivity
The immune system reacts exaggeratedly or inappropriately in hypersensitivity. It attacks commonplace substances like dust as if they were pathogens.
This happens with:
- asthma
- food allergies and sensitivities
A severe reaction can lead to anaphylactic shock, where the body responds to an allergen so strongly that it can be life threatening.
How can I improve my immunity?
- following a diet that consists of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole foods, and lean protein
- limiting the intake of added salts, fats, sugars, and alcohol
- Exercising regularly
- Getting enough sleep
- Maintaining a suitable body weight
- Avoiding smoking
- Washing hands (Best way to prevent the spread of microbes)
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