How the Immune System Protects You From Infection?

June 02, 2023

How the Immune System Protects You From Infection?

The immune system protects one from infection by destroying harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The immune system works as a physical and biological defense. 

Physical defenses include skin, mucus membranes, and coughing or sneezing, which prevent pathogens from entering the body.

 Biological defenses include white blood cells, antibodies, and the complement system, which neutralize pathogens in the body. 

The immune system also has a memory component that helps it respond more effectively to pathogens it has encountered in the past, which works as a defense for future infections.

HOW DOES THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WORK?

The immune system works by recognizing and responding to foreign invaders such as pathogens (such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi) and abnormal cells that can cause illness and disease. 

White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, play a key role in the immune response by recognizing and destroying foreign invaders. 

THE WAYS IMMUNE SYSTEM PROTECT FROM INFECTION 

THE WAYS IMMUNE SYSTEM PROTECT FROM INFECTION

The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body from infection. Basically the five ways of immune system helps you from infection. 

  1. RECOGNIZING PATHOGENS: The immune system is capable of recognizing harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that enter the body and cause infection.
  2. ACTIVATING THE IMMUNE RESPONSE: Once a pathogen is recognized, the immune system activates a response to neutralize it. This involves white blood cells that attack the pathogens, as well as the production of antibodies that are specific to each pathogen and can target and neutralize it.
  3. MOUNTING A DEFENSE: The immune system employs a range of mechanisms to defend the body from infection. This includes the activation of the complement system, which enhances the ability of antibodies and white blood cells to destroy pathogens, and the production of cytokines, which are signaling molecules that help to coordinate the immune response.
  4. MEMORY: The immune system has a memory component that allows it to remember past infections and respond more effectively to future infections. This is why people who have had certain infections are typically immune to those infections in the future.
  5. CANCER SURVEILLANCE: The immune system also plays a role in fighting cancer by detecting and destroying abnormal cells that have the potential to cause harm.

By performing these tasks, the immune system helps to protect the body from infection and maintain good health. It is a remarkable system that is constantly working to keep us safe from harm.


HOW IS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND WORKS AGAINST INFECTION? 

The immune system is activated when it detects the presence of pathogens in the body. This can occur through a variety of mechanisms, such as the recognition of antigens.

Once the immune system is activated, it protects the body from infection. This involves a complex and coordinated response that involves multiple components of the immune system, including:

  • WHITE BLOOD CELLS: White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, play a crucial role in the immune response by recognizing and attacking pathogens.  
  • ANTIBODIES: Antibodies are proteins produced by certain white blood cells that are specifically designed to target and neutralize specific pathogens. 
  • COMPLEMENT SYSTEM: The complement system is a group of proteins that can enhance the ability of antibodies and white blood cells to destroy pathogens.  
  • CYTOKINES: Cytokines are signaling molecules that help to coordinate the immune response.  

INNATE AND ADAPTIVE IMMUNE SYSTEM SAVE FROM INFECTION 

The human body has two main types of immunity that work together to protect against infection: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system.

  • INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM: The innate immune system is the body's first line of defense against pathogens. It is made up of non-specific defense mechanisms that provide rapid and immediate protection against a wide range of pathogens.  
  • ADAPTIVE IMMUNE SYSTEM : The adaptive immune system is the body's second line of defense against pathogens. It is capable of recognizing specific pathogens and generating a tailored response to neutralize them. The adaptive immune system includes white blood cells known as T cells and B cells. 

The immune system protects the body from infection by recognizing and neutralizing harmful pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. The immune system is composed of two main components: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system. By working together, the innate and adaptive immune systems provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of pathogens, helping to keep the body healthy and free from infection.

Read also:   Turmeric Powder Benefits and Nutrition


https://www.pfizer.com/news/articles/how_the_immune_system_protects_you_from_infection

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21196-immune-system

https://www.roswellpark.org/cancertalk/201809/if-your-immune-system-protects-you-why-do-you-still-get-sick

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/immune.html


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