The protective system of the body, which protects us from harmful effects from the outside, is called immunity. The stronger, the stronger the defensive power, the healthier the person. There is nonspecific and specific immunity , each species is equally important. In order for our body to cope with bacteria and viruses in time and prevent the disease from developing, 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 nonspecific immunity begin to form from stem cells. In the future, their paths diverge: the nonspecific sends its cells to the spleen, the specific path to the thymus or thymus gland. There, each of them turns into antibodies that already perform their protective functions. The more the immune system meets microorganisms in its path, the greater the supply of antibodies in it that appears to combat various diseases. This serves as an answer to the question why domestic, pampered children are more often sick than those who grow in nature, in the fresh air.
Acquired (specific) immunity is the body's ability to not perceive certain infections, it is formed throughout life. Specific immunity in medicine is divided into two types: active and passive. How is specific active immunity created ? Specific immunity is associated with phagocytosis. It appears after diseases or during vaccination, when weakened bacteria and viruses are introduced. As soon as the immune system encounters the pathogen, antibody production occurs. Repeated disease caused by the same viruses will pass in a milder form or completely bypass the body. Antibodies that already exist in the body quickly neutralize enemies.
Passive specific immunity
Ready-made antibodies are artificially introduced into the body to form passive immunity . So, for example, anti-diphtheria serum is used. Also, passive immunity forms breastfeeding, along with the 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 remembered that the presence of antibodies in the blood, their active work, resistance to pathogens depend on the general condition of the immune system, its health.
Nonspecific immunity
The formation of non-specific, as with specific immunity is associated with phagocytosis. Congenital (non-specific) immunity is transmitted to m 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, “coaching” takes place in the spleen, where they learn to recognize strangers.
Nonspecific immunity is effective and simple: 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 protection is organized in our body
Our skin, as well as the mucous membranes, is the first barrier on the path of microbes. 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 in contact with healthy skin, the causative agent of typhoid fever. Mucous secrets are secreted, which are extremely harmful to germs.
If 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. There is inflammation, in which the inclusion of complex mechanisms of the immune system. White blood cells, phagocytes are taken for work, special substances (immunoglobulin, interferon) are produced to fight the “enemy”. Such reactions of the body cause nonspecific immunity.
At the same time, a specific immunity is connected, which forms defense factors - antibodies aimed at combating a specific 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. existing antibodies. Familiar pathogens will be quickly destroyed. If there has not yet been a collision, then the body needs time to develop antibodies and to fight a new unfamiliar “enemy”.
Structure of the immune system
Specific immunity is provided by lymphocytes about one of the ways: humoral or cellular. The entire immune system appears as a complex of lymphoid tissue and lymphoid organs. Relate to:
Bone marrow;
spleen;
thymus
The lymph nodes.
Also included in the immune system:
nasopharyngeal tonsils;
intestinal lymphoid plaques;
lymphoid nodules located in the gastrointestinal mucosa, urogenital tract, respiratory tube;
lymphoid diffuse tissue;
lymphoid cells;
interepithelial lymphocytes.
The main elements in the immune system are lymphoid cells and macrophages. Lymphoid organs are “depots” for lymphoid cells.
What weakens the immune system
What causes a weakening of the immune system in a person ? The body loses its protective properties due to a number of reasons, which include:
malnutrition, lack of vitamins and minerals;
abuse of hormones and antibiotics;
chronic stress and fatigue;
exposure to radiation, 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 acute respiratory viral infections and influenza.
Separately, it is necessary to highlight children's immunity. In the period of development of the child, five stages are distinguished, when immunity can decrease to a critical point:
age up to 30 days;
from 3 to 6 months;
at 2 years of age;
from 4 to 6 year;
in adolescence.
In pediatrics, there is even the concept of FBH (often ill children), this includes babies who fall ill four times in a year or more.
Immunity strengthening
To strengthen the protective functions, it is necessary to take measures to strengthen non-specific and specific immunity.
Nonspecific immunity is strengthened if the body's overall resistance increases. As a rule, when they say that it is necessary to strengthen the immune system, they mean precisely the non-specific form. What is required for this:
compliance with the regime of the day;
good nutrition - the content in food of the required amount of minerals, vitamins, amino acids;
engaged in sports, hardening the body;
taking a drug that strengthens and enhances immunity, for example with beta-carotene;
Avoid taking antibiotics frequently, following only your doctor’s instructions .
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 when conducting active vaccination, that is, when weakened pathogens are introduced, the body's protective reactions are immediately directed to the production of antibodies to combat the disease. As a result, the body's response to other infections is temporarily weakened. Therefore, before vaccination, it is necessary to increase, strengthen your own non-specific immunity. Otherwise, there is a chance to quickly catch a virus.
The ability of the immune system to withstand any “invasion” largely depends on a factor such as the age of the person. For example, the immunity of a newborn has only those antibodies that are transmitted to it from the mother, therefore, in infancy there is a high probability of various diseases. It has long been customary not to show the baby to outsiders in the first month and not to take it out of the house to protect it from various specific antigens. In the elderly, the activity of the thymus gland decreases, so they often become defenseless against various viruses. When choosing immunocorrection, these features of the ages must be taken into account.
Vaccinations
Vaccination is a reliable way to acquire specific immunity and the ability to defend against a specific disease. Active immunity is formed due to the production of antibodies to the introduced attenuated virus. By itself, it is not able to cause a disease, but it contributes to the inclusion of immunity, which responds specifically to this disease.
It is important to remember that after any vaccination, a reaction can be observed, as well as minor side effects in a mild form. This is normal, do not panic. Weakened children often exacerbate chronic diseases after vaccinations, because the forces of basic immunity are directed to the production of antibodies to the administered drug. Healthy 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 non-specific immunity. To do this, all the measures described above are suitable.