Table of Contents
- Overview
- Prevention
- Images
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Cough reflex - Enzymes in tears and skin oils
- Mucus, which traps bacteria and small particles
- Skin
Stomach acid
Innate immunity also comes in a protein chemical form, called innate humoral immunity. Examples include the body's complement system and substances called interferon and interleukin-1 (which causes fever).
If an antigen gets past these barriers, it is attacked and destroyed by other parts of the immune system.
ACQUIRED IMMUNITY
Acquired immunity is immunity that develops with exposure to various antigens. Your immune system builds a defense that is specific to that antigen.
PASSIVE IMMUNITY
Passive immunity is due to antibodies that are produced in a body other than your own. Infants have passive immunity because they are born with antibodies that are transferred through the placenta from their mother. These antibodies disappear between 6 and 12 months of age.
Passive immunization may also be due to injection of antiserum, which contains antibodies that are formed by another person or animal. It provides immediate protection against an antigen, but does not provide long-lasting protection. Immune serum globulin (given for hepatitis exposure) and
BLOOD COMPONENTS
The immune system includes certain types of white blood cells. It also includes chemicals and proteins in the blood, such as antibodies, complement proteins, and interferon. Some of these directly attack foreign substances in the body, and others work together to help the immune system cells.
Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell. There are B and T type lymphocytes.
- B cells produce
antibodies . Antibodies attach to a specific antigen and make it easier for the immune cells to destroy the antigen. - T cells attack antigens directly and help control the immune response. They also release chemicals, known as cytokines, which control the entire immune response.
As lymphocytes develop, they normally learn to tell the difference between your own body tissues and substances that are not normally found in your body. Once B cells and T cells are formed, a few of those cells will multiply and provide "memory" for your immune system. This allows your immune system to respond faster and more efficiently the next time you are exposed to the same antigen, and in many cases will prevent you from getting sick. For example, a person who has had chickenpox or has been immunized against chickenpox is immune from getting chickenpox again.
INFLAMMATION
Review Date: 05/02/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine; and Stuart I. Henochowicz, MD, FACP, Associate
Clinical Professor of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology,
and Rheumatology, Georgetown University Medical School. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
