When a foreign substance enters the body.
Vaccines do not prevent infection. Vaccines prepare the immune system to fight infection by allowing the immune system to produce antibodies to a specific invading organism, kill it, and remember it in the future. In vaccines, this organism is often weakened or dead. If the invading organism is found by the immune system in the future following immunization, the immune system remembers it and produces the specific antibodies needed to kill it quickly.
Gammaglobulin is a blood product containing antibodies that help boost the immune system to fight infections or provide passive immunity to certain diseases. It is often used to prevent or treat infections in individuals with weakened immune systems or those who cannot produce their own antibodies.
Active immunity occurs when the immune system is exposed to a pathogen and produces its own antibodies in response, often following vaccination or natural infection. This type of immunity is long-lasting, as memory cells are created to recognize the pathogen in future encounters. In contrast, passive immunity involves the transfer of antibodies from another source, such as through maternal antibodies in breast milk or antibody treatments; it provides immediate but temporary protection since the recipient's immune system does not produce its own antibodies.
A newborn does not yet have a mature immune system and is often unable to mount an effective immune response. Newborns are generally protected by the antibodies they receive through the placenta before birth and through their mother's breastmilk after birth.
Actigen refers to a specific substance that can provoke an immune response, often a part of a pathogen like bacteria or viruses. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system in response to antigens; they recognize and bind to specific antigens to neutralize or mark them for destruction by other immune cells. Together, actigens and antibodies play crucial roles in the body’s defense against infections.
When the body encounters a pathogen for the second time, it can produce a significantly higher quantity of antibodies compared to the first encounter due to the memory cells formed during the initial exposure. This secondary immune response is faster and more robust, often resulting in the production of millions of antibodies within days. The exact number can vary depending on factors such as the individual’s immune system, the type of pathogen, and previous exposure. Overall, the response is typically much more efficient than the first encounter.
The very young and the very old often have insufficient antibodies due to their immune systems being underdeveloped or weakened. In infants, the immune system is still maturing and may not produce a strong response to infections or vaccinations. In older adults, immune senescence leads to a decline in immune function, resulting in reduced antibody production and effectiveness against pathogens. These age-related changes make both groups more vulnerable to infections and diseases.
Immunodepletion is a process of removing or reducing specific components of the immune system, such as antibodies or immune cells, from a sample or organism. This technique is often used in research to study the roles of specific immune components in various diseases or biological processes.
IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) is used to boost the immune system by providing antibodies to patients with weakened immune systems. It is often used to treat autoimmune diseases, immune deficiencies, and certain neurological conditions. IVIG can also be used in certain infections and inflammatory diseases.
Permanent immunity develops when the immune system encounters a pathogen and creates a robust response, often through the activation of B cells and T cells. B cells produce antibodies that specifically target the pathogen, while T cells help eliminate infected cells and support B cell function. After the initial infection, some of these immune cells become memory cells, allowing the immune system to respond more rapidly and effectively upon subsequent exposures to the same pathogen. This process is often enhanced through vaccination, which stimulates the immune system without causing disease.
The markers on a pathogen are called antigens. Antigens are molecules or molecular structures, often proteins or carbohydrates, that can trigger an immune response in the host organism. They are recognized by the immune system, particularly by antibodies, which help to identify and neutralize the pathogen.
The term for the injection of preformed antibodies after presumed exposure is "passive immunity." This process involves administering antibodies, often in the form of immunoglobulin, to provide immediate protection against infections or diseases. Unlike active immunity, which develops through the body's own immune response, passive immunity offers temporary protection as the body does not produce the antibodies itself.