The immune system, or immune system, is a set of organs, tissues and cells that fight against invading microorganisms, preventing the development of diseases. In addition, it is responsible for promoting the balance of the organism from the coordinated response of cells and molecules produced in response to the pathogen.
The best way to strengthen the immune system and get it to react well to invading microorganisms is to eat and adopt healthy habits. In addition, it is important that vaccination is carried out, especially in children, to stimulate the production of antibodies and prevent the child from developing diseases that may interfere with its development, such as polio, also known as childhood paralysis, that can be prevented. with the VIP vaccine. Know when to get vaccinated against polio.
- The immune response is mediated by cells responsible for fighting infections.
- Leukocytes.
- Which promote the health of the body and the person.
- Leukocytes can be divided into polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells.
- And each group has certain types of defense cells in the body that perform distinct and complementary functions.
- The cells belonging to the immune system are:.
From the moment a foreign body and/or infectious agent enters the body, immune system cells are activated and acted in a coordinated manner to combat the aggressor agent. Learn more about white blood cells.
The immune system is responsible for protecting the body from any type of infection. Thus, when a microorganism invades the body, the immune system is able to identify this pathogen and activate the defense mechanisms to fight the infection.
The immune system is composed of two main types of responses: the innate immune response, which is the body’s first line of defense, and the adaptive immune response, which is more specific and activated when the first response does not work or is not enough.
The natural or innate immune response is the body’s first line of defense, being present in humans from birth. As soon as the microorganism invades the organism, this line of defense is stimulated, characterized by its speed and low specificity.
This type of immunity includes
Because of the effectiveness of the innate immune system, infections do not occur all the time and microorganisms are quickly eliminated. However, when natural immunity is not enough to fight the pathogen, adaptive immunity is stimulated.
Acquired or adaptive immunity, although it is the second line of defense of the organism, is of great importance because it is through it that memory cells are generated, preventing infections from the same microorganism or, where appropriate, becoming lighter. .
In addition to giving birth to memory cells, the adaptive immune response, although longer to establish, is more specific because it allows to identify the specific characteristics of each microorganism and thus lead to immune response.
This type of immunity is triggered by contact with infectious agents and has two types:
In addition to humoral and cellular immunity, adaptive immune response can also be classified as active, when acquired by vaccination, for example, or passive, when it comes from another person, such as through breastfeeding, in which antibodies can be transmitted from the mother. the baby.
For the immune system to respond, antigens and antibodies are needed. Antigens are substances capable of triggering an immune response, specific to each microorganism, and that bind directly to lymphocyte or antibody to generate the immune response, which normally results in the destruction of the microorganism and therefore the end of infection.
Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins that protect the body from infections in response to an invasive microorganism. Antibodies, also called immunoglobulins, can be acquired through lactation, such as IgA, even during pregnancy, in the case of IgG, or produced in response to an allergic reaction, in the case of IgE.
In response to infections, IgM is the first antibody produced. As the infection is established, the body begins to produce IgG which, in addition to fighting the infection, remains in circulation, considering itself a memory antibody. Learn more about IgG and IgM.
Vaccination corresponds to the agency’s mechanism for promoting protection against certain microorganisms, and can be acquired naturally or artificially, as in the case of vaccines, for example.
Active immunization is immunization acquired through vaccination or through contact with the agent of a particular disease, stimulating the immune system and causing it to produce antibodies.
Active vaccination is able to generate memory, that is, when the body reconnects with the agent that causes a certain disease, the body recognizes and fights the invading agent, preventing the person from developing the disease or having it more severely. . Therefore, this type of response is lasting, however, it takes time for it to be established, that is, immediately after exposure to the harmful agent, there is no immediate formation of an adequate immune response. The immune system takes a long time to process and assimilate this information.
Natural exposure to the pathogen is a means to obtain active immunization. In addition, it is important to obtain an artificially active immunization, i.e. through vaccination, thus avoiding future infections. During vaccination, the person receives the dead microorganism or reduces its activity to stimulate the immune system to recognize the pathogen and create immunity against it. See what the main vaccines are and when they should be given.
Passive vaccination occurs when a person acquires antibodies produced by another person or animal. This type of immunization is usually obtained naturally through the passage of immunoglobulins, mainly IgG (antibodies), through the placenta, that is, by direct transfer from mother to child.
Passive immunization can also be acquired artificially, injecting antibodies from other people or animals, as in the case of snake bites, for example, in which snake venom serum is extracted and then administered directly to the person. . Learn about first aid in the event of a snake bite.
This type of immunization generates a faster immune response, but it is not sustainable as is the case with active vaccination.
To improve the immune system, it is important to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, with foods rich in vitamin C, selenium and zinc. Find out which foods can strengthen the immune system.
See other tips to improve your immune system: