What is passive and natural immunity?

The body's defenses work against pathogens, infections and viruses. Distinguish passive immunity when antibodies are already present and protect. The active one works when a human body produces cells as a result of a reaction to a disease or vaccine.

Types of protective mechanisms

The general resistance of the body to infections occurs under the influence of two components:

  • passive immunity;
  • active defenses.

passive immunity

The functionality of the barrier against bacteria is the production of specific lymphocytes. The latter are quantified by laboratory methods. Passive immunity is described by antibodies IgM, IgG.

Doctors use the term "avidity" - the strength of the bonds of antibodies with antigens. Characterization is needed to determine the body's ability to withstand current infections. With negative results, therapy is carried out to increase passive artificial immunity.

Active protection

Passive immunity is already present in the body, while the active component is produced by the body on the pathogen:

  • a vaccine;
  • cells of a virus or other infection.

Active immunity is divided by the method of education:

  • natural - antibodies are produced through the fight against pathogenic cells;
  • artificial - occurs after the introduction of the vaccine.

passive artificial immunity

Before infections, 2 barriers line up. Natural immunity cells that roam the body directly kill bacteria. The immune system is a set of additional functions. This includes the skin, mucous membranes.

The main defense element is located in the intestines. The mucous membrane destroys harmful microorganisms that enter the body through the esophagus. Therefore, it is required to maintain a healthy state of microflora.

Many factors influence the state of internal mucous membranes: proper sleep, nutrition, illness, stress, heat stroke. When pathogens nevertheless undergo protection, antibodies begin to cope with foreign objects. Natural or acquired immunity becomes the last resort to cleanse the body of aggression.

Inactive protection

Passive artificial immunity in humans begins to be produced in the following cases:

  • gamma globulins circulate in the blood with the introduction of serum;
  • antibodies got along with other people's blood during transfusion.

A similar condition is observed in newborns. Gamma globulins are transmitted to the child from the mother. The protective mechanism is developed only for those diseases and infections with which the woman has already been ill or from whom the vaccine has been delivered.

Passive artificial immunity differs from active immunity in that it disappears over time. In newborns, the protective forces received from the mother fade for six months. A similar effect is observed with the introduction of serum, antibodies protect while gamma globulin cells circulate in the blood.

Ways to support the body

An active lifestyle raises immunity. Passive, on the other hand, reduces metabolic processes in the body and contributes to the colonization of pathogenic microorganisms. Harmful substances have a negative effect: alcoholic drinks, tobacco smoke.

To increase the tone of the body, natural lactobacilli are used. Maintain a therapeutic diet. Pharmacy drugs are selected together with an immunologist. You can monitor the condition of the body through laboratory tests for immunoglobulins. In chronic infectious diseases, this measure becomes extremely necessary.

passive artificial immunity in humans

There are several types of activation of immunity against a specific disease:

  • toxoids - vaccination with bacterial toxins (medication is effective against tetanus, pertussis);
  • inactivated vaccination - more often carried out against influenza, killed bacteria are used, it also works against tick-borne encephalitis, tetanus;
  • living cells of infections - weakened microorganisms activate the body's defenses.

On a note

Natural passive immunity is formed on a specific disease, poison, virus. The body adapts to changing conditions, releases protective cells lymphocytes. Artificial antibodies are injected and there is a short time.

With the natural transmission of antibodies to the child from the mother, the baby acquires protection for up to six months. Given the careful attitude of parents to infants, the risks of getting sick at an early age are reduced.

natural passive immunity

Mothers give protection to children against a set of infections. This happens during the formation of the fetus, as well as during breastfeeding. Therefore, doctors do not recommend early abandonment of natural feeding, because it is in the first months that immunity is formed.


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