Immunity is the main defender of our body, which helps it fight diseases. What strengthens the immune system? What influences its formation? What is the difference between specific and nonspecific immunity? Let's find out about it.
Immunity and its role
Have you noticed that there are people who get sick several times a year, and some almost never? Why are some people highly susceptible to disease while others are not? It's all about immunity. This is a kind of security guard who provides our protection around the clock. If it is not strong enough, then the body can easily succumb to some kind of disease.
Every minute we are attacked by various microorganisms (protozoa, bacteria, fungi). The immune system diligently fights them, preventing them from entering the body and further development. It provides resistance to toxins, preservatives, chemicals, and eliminates obsolete or defective cells in the body itself.
Depending on the method of its acquisition, natural andartificial, specific and nonspecific immunity. This is a complex holistic mechanism, represented by special organs and cells. Together they make up the immune system, the main task of which is to maintain the constancy of the internal environment and neutralize foreign elements.
Features of the immune system
The protection of the body is ensured by the coordinated work of all components of the immune system. Its organs are divided into central and peripheral. The first include the thymus gland, bone marrow, Fabricius bag. They produce immune cells (macrophages, plasma cells, T- and B-lymphocytes) in all parts of the body.
Peripheral organs are lymph nodes, spleen, neuroglia, skin, lymphatic tissue. These are secondary organs that are located in places where antigens can penetrate. They use immune cells to fight "pests."
The formation of protective cells occurs in different ways. Some of them are inherited, and the other part is formed during life, after illnesses. So, there is specific and nonspecific immunity. The body can develop resistance to foreign bodies naturally or with the help of vaccines. Therefore, immunity is also divided into natural and artificial.
Innate immunity
Specific and non-specific immunity are commonly referred to as acquired and innate immunity, respectively. The latter is available to us from the first days of life. It is transmitted genetically within the same species. Thanks to hima person cannot contract some diseases that are unique to certain animals, such as bovine dysentery or canine distemper.
Innate immunity is present in all living organisms. It was called non-specific because it does not fight against any particular antigen. It was formed at the beginning of evolution and, unlike the acquired one, does not have the memory to recognize the type of pathogen. This is our primary barrier, which is triggered immediately after the appearance of a potential threat. One of its manifestations is inflammation.
Non-specific immunity is considered absolute. It is extremely difficult to completely destroy it. However, building immunological tolerance or prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation can significantly weaken it.
Acquired immunity
The second stage in the fight against foreign microorganisms and substances is specific immunity. It is formed throughout a person's life and changes with each illness.
When a threat is detected, acquired immunity begins to actively attack it. Its main feature is the "remembering" of pathogens with the help of antibodies. They are produced in the process of fighting a specific alien organism and will subsequently be able to resist it.
Thus, each new disease causes the production of new antibodies, deposited in the memory of our immune system. As soon as the "enemy" appears in our body again, the defense cells will recognize it and be able toeliminate much faster.
Not all pathogens the body reacts the same way. For some diseases, it is enough to get sick only once, so that the immune system is larger and “does not let close” pathogenic microorganisms. This is typical for chickenpox, measles, tularemia, whooping cough. Influenza and dysentery act quite differently. After them, only temporary immunity is produced, which lasts up to four months. And then if the pathogen is the same strain. As you know, the flu has thousands of them…
Types of specific immunity
Acquired defense mechanisms appeared much later than innate ones. They arose in the course of evolution and represent one of the most important adaptations of living beings. Without specific immunity, we would get sick much more often.
When it is produced in the body itself (after vaccination or on its own), it is called active. It is called passive if ready-made antibodies enter the body from external sources. They can be passed to the baby through the mother's colostrum, or they can be given along with drugs or a vaccine during medical treatment.
There are also artificial and natural immunity. The first involves direct human intervention, that is, vaccination. Natural immunity is formed in a natural way. It can be either passive (transmitted through colostrum) or active (appears after a disease).
Immune Factors
The body resists viruses, infections and microbes thanks to variousfactors. They are cellular, humoral or physiological mechanisms. Nonspecific immunity factors are represented by skin, mucous membranes, enzymes. This also includes the acid-base environment of the stomach and even… sneezing.
Tools of innate immunity are the first to come into contact with a potential threat. They are doing everything they can to destroy her. For example, the secrets of the sebaceous and sweat glands on the skin do not allow microbes to multiply. Saliva and tears destroy them.
Specific immunity factors are a whole complex of mechanisms that help to respond to foreign bodies, neutralize and prevent their reproduction. They include the formation of antibodies and immunological memory, an allergic reaction, the killer ability of lymphocytes. One of the factors is also immune phagocytosis, in which pathogenic organisms are absorbed by special cells - phagocytes.
What strengthens the immune system?
In the course of our life, the immune system is constantly changing and correcting, so it is important to keep it in good shape. Yes, a lot depends on heredity, but lifestyle also affects the body's defenses directly.
Immune boosting tips are pretty standard, the main thing here, perhaps, is regularity. Here are some rules to follow:
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Get active.
- Take time to relax.
- Avoidstress and overwork.
- Stay outdoors.
- Laugh more often and experience positive emotions.
