The body's defense system, which protects us from harmful external influences, is called immunity. The stronger, the stronger the protective force, the he althier the person. There is non-specific and specific immunity, each type is equally important. In order for our body to cope with bacteria and viruses in time and prevent the development of the disease, immunity must be constantly strengthened. The formation of immunity, its renewal occurs throughout life. In the article we will analyze in more detail how specific and nonspecific immunity is formed. What needs to be done so that he copes with his protective function in time?
The concept of specific immunity
Both specific and non-specific immunity begins to form from stem cells. In the future, their paths diverge: the non-specific one sends its cells to the spleen, the specific path - to the thymus or thymus gland. There each of them turns intoantibodies that are already performing their protective functions. The more microorganisms the immune system meets on its way, the more antibodies it has to fight various diseases. This is the answer to the question why domestic, pampered children are more likely to get sick than those who grow up in nature, in the fresh air.
Acquired (specific) immunity is the ability of the body not to perceive certain infections, it is formed throughout life. Specific immunity in medicine is divided into two types: active and passive. How is specific immunity created active? Specific immunity is associated with phagocytosis. It appears after past illnesses or during vaccination, when weakened bacteria and viruses are introduced. As soon as the immune system encounters a pathogen, antibodies are produced. A repeated illness caused by the same viruses will pass in a milder form or completely bypass the body. Antibodies already present in the body quickly neutralize enemies.
Passive specific immunity
For the formation of passive immunity, ready-made antibodies are artificially introduced into the body. So, for example, antidiphtheria serum is used. Also, passive immunity forms breastfeeding, along with mother's milk, the child already receives ready-made protective antibodies.
Active specific immunity is a reaction to a specific pathogen. So, for example, it appears after vaccination against smallpox. It should be rememberedthat the presence of antibodies in the blood, their active work, resistance to pathogens depend on the general state of the immune system, its he alth.
Non-specific immunity
Formation of nonspecific as well as specific immunity is associated with phagocytosis. Innate (non-specific) immunity is transmitted to us from parents with genes, it makes up 60% of all our defenses.
Phagocytes are cells that absorb organisms alien to us. Formed from stem cells, "instruction" takes place in the spleen, where they learn to recognize strangers.
Non-specific immunity works effectively and simply: it detects antigens and immediately removes them. An important mission and feature of nonspecific immunity is the ability to fight and destroy tumor cancer cells.
How defense is organized in our body
On the way of microbes, our skin and mucous membranes are the first barrier. In addition to mechanical protection, they also have bactericidal properties, provided that they are not damaged. Protection is provided by the secrets of the sebaceous and sweat glands. For example, after 15 minutes, upon contact with he althy skin, the causative agent of typhoid fever dies. Mucous secretions are secreted, which are extremely destructive for microbes.
If the microbes are highly pathogenic or their attack is too massive, the mucosal and skin barriers become insufficient. In such cases, bacteria and viruses enter the body. Inflammation occurs, in which the complex mechanisms of immunity are turned on. Leukocytes, phagocytes are taken to work, special substances (immunoglobulin, interferon) are produced to fight the “enemy”. Such reactions of the body are caused by nonspecific immunity.
At the same time, specific immunity is activated, which forms protective factors - antibodies aimed at fighting a certain microbe. In many ways, the effectiveness and speed of antibody production will depend on whether the pathogen has already visited the body. Specific immunity is provided by already existing antibodies. Familiar pathogens will be quickly destroyed. If there has not yet been a collision, then the body needs time to produce antibodies and to fight a new unfamiliar "enemy".
Structure of the immune system
Specific immunity is provided by lymphocytes in one of the ways: humoral or cellular. The entire immune system is represented as a complex of lymphoid tissue and lymphoid organs. Related here:
- bone marrow;
- spleen;
- thymus;
- lymph nodes.
Also included in the immune system:
- nasopharyngeal tonsils;
- lymphoid plaques in the intestine;
- lymphoid nodules located in the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, urogenital tract, respiratory tube;
- lymphoid diffuse tissue;
- lymphoid cells;
- interepitheliallymphocytes.
The main elements in the immune system can be called lymphoid cells and macrophages. Lymphoid organs are "warehouses" for lymphoid cells.
What weakens the immune system
Because of what a person's immune system is weakened? The body loses its protective properties due to a number of reasons, which include:
- malnutrition, lack of vitamins and minerals;
- abuse of hormonal drugs and antibiotics;
- chronic stress and fatigue;
- effect of the radiation situation, atmospheric pollution.
In addition, immunity can decrease after surgery, anesthesia, with large blood loss, burns, injuries, intoxications and infections, with frequent colds, chronic diseases. Especially a decrease in immunity is manifested after SARS and influenza.
Separately, it is necessary to highlight children's immunity. During the development of a child, there are five stages when immunity can drop to a critical level:
- age up to 30 days;
- 3 to 6 months;
- 2 year old;
- years 4 to 6;
- in adolescence.
In pediatrics, there is even the concept of FCI (frequently ill children), this includes babies who fall ill four times a year or more.
Strengthening immunity
To strengthen protective functions, it is necessary to take measures to strengthen nonspecific and specific immunity.
Non-specific immunity is strengthened if the overall resistance of the body increases. As a rule, when they say that it is necessary to strengthen the immune system, they mean precisely the non-specific form. What it takes:
- observance of the daily routine;
- full nutrition - the content in food of the required amount of minerals, vitamins, amino acids;
- sports, hardening of the body;
- taking drugs that strengthen and strengthen the immune system, such as beta-carotene;
Avoid frequent use of antibiotics, stick to doctor's prescriptions only.
Strengthening (creation) of specific immunity
Specific immunity is created by administering a vaccine. It acts purposefully against any disease. It should be borne in mind that during active vaccination, that is, when weakened pathogens are introduced, the body's defense reactions are immediately directed to the production of antibodies to fight the disease. As a result, the body's response to other infections is temporarily weakened. Therefore, before vaccination, it is necessary to increase and strengthen one's own nonspecific immunity. Otherwise, there is a chance of quickly catching a virus.
The ability of the immune system to resist any "invasion" largely depends on factors such as ageperson. For example, the immunity of a newborn has only those antibodies that were transmitted to him from his mother, so in infancy there is a high probability of various diseases. It has long been customary not to show the baby to strangers in the first month and not to take it out of the house in order to protect it from various specific antigens. In older people, the activity of the thymus gland decreases, so they often become defenseless against various viruses. When choosing immunocorrection, these features of ages must be taken into account.
Vaccinations
Vaccination is a reliable way to acquire specific immunity and the ability to protect yourself from a specific disease. Active immunity is formed due to the production of antibodies to the introduced weakened virus. By itself, it is not capable of causing a disease, but it helps to turn on the immune system, which reacts specifically to this disease.
It is important to remember that after any vaccination there may be a reaction, as well as minor side effects in a mild form. This is normal, don't panic. In weakened children, chronic diseases often worsen after vaccination, because the forces of the main immunity are directed to the production of antibodies to the administered drug. He althy children respond better, the incidence of side effects does not exceed 2%. In order to avoid complications, it is necessary to prepare the body, normalize nonspecific immunity. For this, all the measures described above will do.
