Immunity is the main protector of our body, which helps it fight diseases. What strengthens the immune system? What affects its formation? What is characterized by specific and non-specific 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 highly susceptible to ailments and others 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 any disease.
Every minute we are attacked by various microorganisms (protozoa, bacteria, fungi). Immunity is struggling diligently with them, preventing them from entering the body and further development. It provides resistance to toxins, preservatives, chemicals, and also eliminates obsolete or defective cells in the body itself.
Depending on the method of its acquisition, natural and artificial, specific and nonspecific immunity are distinguished. 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, bone marrow, bag of Fabricius. They produce immune cells (macrophages, plasma cells, T and B lymphocytes) in all parts of the body.
The peripheral organs are the 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 control 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 a specific and non-specific 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 nonspecific immunity is usually called acquired and innate, respectively. We have the latter from the first days of life. It is transmitted genetically within a single species. Thanks to him, a person can not become infected with certain diseases that are characteristic only of certain animals, for example, cattle dysentery or canine distemper.
Congenital immunity is present in all living organisms. It was called nonspecific 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 a 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.
Nonspecific immunity is considered absolute. Completely destroying it is extremely difficult. However, the creation of immunological tolerance or prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation can significantly weaken it.
Acquired immunity
The second stage of 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 using antibodies. They are produced in the process of fighting a specific alien organism and subsequently will be able to withstand 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 protective cells recognize it and can eliminate it much faster.
Not all pathogens respond in the same way. With some diseases, it’s enough to get sick only once so that the immune system is larger and “does not close” pathogenic microorganisms. This is characteristic of chickenpox, measles, tularemia, whooping cough. Influenza and dysentery act very differently. After them, only temporary immunity is developed, which lasts up to four months. And then if the pathogen is the same strain. As you know, there are thousands of flu ...
Types of specific immunity
Acquired defense mechanisms appeared much later than inborn ones. They arose during evolution and are one of the most important adaptations of living things. Without specific immunity, we would be 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 the finished antibodies enter the body from external sources. They can be transmitted to the baby along with maternal colostrum, and can be given along with drugs or a vaccine during medical treatment.
Artificial and natural immunity are also distinguished. The first involves direct human intervention, that is, vaccination. Natural immunity is formed in a natural way. It can have both a passive look (transmitted with colostrum) and active (appears after a disease is transferred).
Immunity Factors
The body resists viruses, infections and germs due to various factors. They are cellular, humoral or physiological mechanisms. Nonspecific immunity factors are represented by skin, mucous membranes, and enzymes. This also includes the acid-base environment of the stomach and even ... sneezing.
Instruments of innate immunity are the first to come into contact with a potential threat. They do everything possible to neutralize it. For example, the secrets of the sebaceous and sweat glands on the skin prevent microbes from multiplying. Saliva and tears destroy them.
Factors of specific immunity are a whole complex of mechanisms that help to respond to foreign bodies, render harmless 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 process of our life, the immune system is constantly changing and adjusting, so it is important to keep it in good shape. Yes, a lot depends on heredity, but lifestyle also directly affects the body’s defenses.
Tips for
strengthening immunity are pretty standard, the main thing here is perhaps the regularity. Here are some rules to keep in mind:
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Go in for sports.
- Take time to relax.
- Avoid stress and overwork.
- Take a walk in the fresh air.
- Laugh more often and experience positive emotions.