Shannan’s Journey

1. Salute the Troops

The immune system is like an army on the front lines against disease. Our immune system consists of proteins, special cells and tissues and protects us from germs that cause illness. Through a series of events called the immune response, these special cells and proteins react to microorganisms attacking the body, warding off infection. The immune system is constantly working to keep our bodies free from disease.

2. How Special Is That-

The special cells of the immune system, called leukocytes, come in two types: phagocytes and lymphocytes. The phagocytes eat microorganisms that invade the body and the lymphocytes help the body recognize and destroy bad germs and microorganisms they have fought off before. The lymphatic system carries the leukocytes between organs through lymph glands.

3. Start With the Freebies

Everyone is born with basic immunities that we receive from our genes called innate immunities. This is why we don’t share certain disease with animals like distemper. We also get protection from our skin and mucus membranes, like the ones in our nasal passages that attack germs before they get inside our bodies. Breast milk adds passive immunities that protect for a short amount of time. Passive immunities come from immunities found in mother’s milk.

4. What Doesn’t Kill You

Unless you’re born with an immune disorder, your immune system will improve itself over time- These immunities come from exposure to certain disease or immunizations. As children and adults get immunizations the leukocytes remember to kill off the harmful diseases by recognizing them when they attack. Certain vaccines only last a short amount of time and need repeating, like vaccines for influenza. Because there are such a variety of influenza viruses, the vaccine changes each year to meet the needs of the different strains. To build up immunities to diseases in children, vaccines come in a series over several years and often require a booster.

5. You’re Overreacting

There are several things that can potentially go wrong with a person’s immune system. An autoimmune disorder is when the immune system attacks the body’s own cells and tissues. This is an autoimmune disease. There can also be deficiencies in the immune system caused by infection or reaction to certain drugs. Allergies are a type of immune response and can result in severe allergic reactions when exposed to certain things. Cancer is also a threat to the immune system. Lymphoma and leukemia are both cancers of the lymphoid system.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 at 4:28 pm and is filed under Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.