Viruses are the causative agents of infectious diseases. These tiny particles try to penetrate the living cells of our body and begin to multiply. The human immune system is constantly fighting viruses, producing antibodies that kill them and protect the body from invading foreign agents. To destroy them, a person must have strong immunity. This article will look at how the body fights viruses and how it can be helped in this.
What is this?
Each individual during his life more than once encounters viruses that settle and begin to actively multiply in the body. For several centuries, humanity has been looking for ways to deal with these microscopic particles. Many of them have been destroyed, but to exterminate them completely means to disturb the natural balance of the ecological system. Therefore, scientists advise to learn how to cooperate with them and know how the body fights viruses. Scientists have now identified many different viruses. They even learned to create artificially. They all consist of:
- from the genetic material at the center of the cell;
- capsid - protein coat;
- lipoprotein shell - it serves to protect the capsid and is found only in large organisms.
The virus is much smaller than bacteria and passes freely through antibacterial filters. He leads a parasitic lifestyle and moves freely in space.
Human immune system
This is a system consisting of organs and tissues that protect the body from disease. They are located throughout the body and form an adequate response to the invasion of antigens into the body. The immune system includes:
- Bone marrow is one of the important organs that is involved in hematopoiesis, producing platelets, erythrocytes and leukocytes.
- The thymus gland (thymus) is not inferior in importance to the bone marrow. It produces T-lymphocytes from bone marrow stem cells, which are responsible for the response of cellular immunity.
- The spleen is located in the abdominal cavity, cleanses the blood of old and dead cells.
- The tonsils are located at the back of the nasopharynx and produce lymphocytes.
- The lymphatic system consists of vessels, capillaries and ducts, nourishes cells, supplies metabolic products to the blood, contains lymphocytes,that absorb pollution.
- Lymph nodes are located in different parts of the body, produce lymphocytes, eliminate inflammation.
The main cells of the immune system are leukocytes, of which there are several types, each of which performs its own role in protecting the body.
Fight the immune system against infection
The immune system has an amazing ability to distinguish body cells from invading agents. She conducts genetic analysis of her own and others all the time. If a foreign protein does not match the protein of the cells of the body, the immune system enrolls them into antigens and begins to fight with them. How does the immune system fight viruses? He focuses all his forces on the destruction of agents. For this, special cells called antibodies are produced. Having defeated the virus, they do not die, but remain in the body, protecting a person from a repeated attack by the same antigen. So, for example, a patient who has had chickenpox once will never be exposed to this infection again. In addition, interferon is included in the fight - this is a special protein that is produced at elevated temperatures and kills viral cells.
How do white blood cells fight viruses?
Leukocytes, or, as they are called, white blood cells, are actively working to protect the body, providing immunity. All of them are divided into two groups:
- Granulocytes are composed of neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils.
- Agranulocytes include lymphocytes and monocytes.
The main functions that leukocytes perform arein the following:
- Lymphocytes are responsible for the production of antibodies. There are T-lymphocytes, which are the first to destroy hostile cells when a foreign protein is detected, and B-lymphocytes, which neutralize foreign particles by producing special biologically active immunoglobulin molecules.
- Natural killer cells produce special protein compounds with a toxic substance for foreign cells. In addition, they can recognize and destroy virus-affected cells.
- Neutrophils have a motor reaction and when agents enter the body, they immediately rush to them and destroy them. As a result, they themselves die.
- Basophils stimulate the body's muscular and vascular response.
- Eosinophils absorb viruses and bacteria, actively fight helminths.
- Monocytes are involved in the regulation of blood clotting, support the protective inflammatory process, provide a recovery function. Move from the bloodstream to tissues, destroy agents or transfer them to killer cells.
Most immune cells are produced in the bone marrow, with the exception of T-lymphocytes, which are produced in the thymus. Protective cells are concentrated in the lymph nodes and areas of the body that are more in contact with the environment (skin and mucous membranes).
The body's fight against infection
Let's consider how the body fights viruses. When it invades a cell, mass reproduction begins, as a result of which the host celldies. And the multiplied viruses come out of it, dressing in a protein shell, and infect neighboring cells. The disease begins to progress. The immune system detects foreign bodies (antigens) by the protein coat, activates and begins to produce interferon, which prevents the virus from multiplying. At the same time, the main cells of the immune system, T- and B-lymphocytes, are activated.
The former are destroyed, while the latter begin to produce antibodies to the virus. As this process builds up, the body raises body temperature to keep viruses from multiplying. Such a scheme only works when a person has a strong immune system, otherwise viruses easily penetrate from one cell to another without encountering obstacles.
What are immunoglobulins and what are their functions?
These include special proteins produced by lymphocytes and involved in the formation of immunity. In the body of a he althy person, five classes of immunoglobulins are formed. They differ in the composition of amino acids, the structure of the structure and the functions performed. Immunoglobulins recognize foreign substances, neutralize them or prevent reproduction and protect the person from reinfection.
Immunoglobulin test
They are contained in the blood serum. Many diseases are detected by their number and activity. What do immunoglobulins show? When taking a blood test for antibodies, determine:
- Does the patient have a specific type of virus or bacteria and howquantity.
- Can the human immune system defeat the infection on its own or is medication needed.
- The stage of the disease and predict the outcome of the disease.
- Tumor markers for suspected malignant neoplasms.
- Allergy-causing antigen.
- The reaction of the mother's body to the fetus.
The data obtained after a blood test allows the doctor to take measures to prevent a severe course of the disease and prescribe the correct treatment.
Effective methods of dealing with colds
Colds most often occur in unfavorable seasons: late autumn, winter or early spring. During these periods, the body weakens, there is a lack of vitamins, immunity decreases and the virus is easily picked up. How to help the body fight the virus? To do this, you need to follow a number of simple steps:
- Stay at home for a few days and stay in bed.
- Drink more fluids. Warm drinks relieve the painful condition. A sufficient amount of liquid facilitates the work of mucous membranes, the release of sputum when coughing and mucus from the nose. Some microorganisms are also washed out. Herbal decoctions are added to tea to reduce colds.
- Rinse your nose and gargle with baking soda s alt water, seawater, or saline. Such procedures are done often, and they give a good effect.
- Do not bring the temperature below 38.5 degrees, it helps to destroy the virus.
- More oftenventilate the room, this is a sure way to disinfect.
- Take short walks outdoors whenever possible.
All these simple procedures will help you cope with a cold faster.
Medicines based on interferon
This group of drugs includes preparations of human interferon obtained artificially. Inexpensive but effective antivirals in this spectrum include:
- "Interferon leukocyte" - is prescribed for viral infections for both prevention and treatment purposes. Release form - ampoules with white powder with a volume of 2 milliliters. When used, it is diluted with water and instilled into the nose five drops twice a day. For prevention purposes, use while there is a threat of infection. With obvious symptoms of the disease, they are instilled up to five times a day.
- "Grippferon" - available in the form of a spray and drops, contains human interferon. As a preventive measure, it is instilled twice a day. Adults for treatment drip three drops in both nostrils up to six times a day, children - depending on age.
- "Viferon" - release form: suppositories, gel and ointment. Convenient to use for small children. How to use is indicated in the attached instructions.
The products listed are suitable for children, adults and pregnant women.
Immune Boosting Medicines
These drugs increase immunity, relieve spasm, reduceinflammation and stop allergic reactions. The following inexpensive but effective antiviral drugs are very popular from this group:
- "Anaferon" is a homeopathic remedy. Release form - tablets for children and adults, and for the smallest - drops. Used to treat SARS, influenza and herpes.
- "Aflubin" is available in tablet and liquid form. Used for children, adults and pregnant women in consultation with a doctor.
- "Arbidol" is produced in the form of tablets, capsules and suspensions. Not suitable for children under two years of age and pregnant women.
Take any medicine only after consulting a doctor.
Ways to normalize immunity
Now you know how the body fights viruses. To defeat the infection, a person must have a strong immune system. If suddenly, for some reason, the immune system failed, then the following methods of influence are used to put it in order:
- Immunorehabilitation - carried out after an illness or in a chronic illness. With the help of a number of measures, the body and the immune system return to the full performance of their functions, and in case of a chronic illness - to a stable remission.
- Immunostimulation - the use of substances that stimulate the production of immunity. It is advisable to use them in oncology and immunodeficiencies.
- Immunocorrection is done for the purpose of prevention for general strengthening of the body during seasonal outbreaks of colds and in the postoperative period.
Conclusion
We are all under the immune protection of the body, which works constantly to protect us from hostile agents. She tries to destroy and destroy everything foreign, activating a whole range of means for this. So if you want to be in good he alth, make it your goal to constantly strengthen your immune system.
