Immunity is a state wherein the body is shielded from contagious ailments. In effect, this particular state is bestowed by the immune system in our body, comprising a multifaceted arrangement of cells, tissues as well as chemicals that combat contagion and eliminates the contagious microorganisms when they plague our body. Precisely speaking, three different types of immune protection exist within our body and every one of them facilitates in protecting the body from contagious ailments. Immunity can be inherited or acquired, natural or artificial, passive or active. These different types of immunity have the aptitude to mix and match to generate, for instance, artificial passive or natural passive immune fortification.
The class of inherited or acquired immune protection actually denotes the kind of immune reaction that is escalated by the immune system. An innate or inherited immune reaction is not particular to any pathogen to which the system is actually reacting, and this occurs more or less instantly whenever any contagious microorganism assaults our body. On the contrary, an acquired immune reaction is particular to the pathogen and may even take many days to develop. In addition, the acquire type of immune response entails the build up of immunological or bacteriological memory, a condition wherein the immune system is able to increase or build up rapidly with a view to react to any contagious microorganism or pathogen, which it had encountered on earlier occasions.
Then again, the active or passive immune fortification is decided on by the manner in which they protect the body from infections. In effect, active immune protection is bestowed by means of contact with a vaccine or any contagious organism. This incites an active immune reaction in the individual who is exposed to the infectious microorganism or pathogen. In contrast, passive immunity or invulnerability denotes the fact that a person is fortified, although his or her immune or resistance system has not escalated itself following any response. For instance, the trans-placental transfer (transfer across placenta) of antibodies from a mother to her child is a sort of passive immune fortification. One more instance of this is the relocation of antibodies from a mother to her child by means of breast milk.
The third type of immunity called the natural or artificial immunity denotes if the immune fortification has build up with or with no interference. For instance, trans-placental transfer of antibody is called a normal process, since it has taken place only by means of a contact between the mother and fetus. Provided an antibody injection was administered to a baby after its birth, it would be an instance of an artificial immune protection, as the antibodies have been taken from one human being, disinfected and subsequently injected into another individual. In effect, vaccination is yet one more instance of artificial immune fortification and, at the same time, it is also an excellent example of active acquired immune protection.
It may be noted that vaccination (immunization) and passive immune therapies are not the sole means to provide immune protection. It is also possible to augment immunity against infections by several more methods, like what has been made obvious during the course of history. For instance, enhancements in sanitation, pest control and diet have also put in to diminished harshness of ailments and the augmented life expectancy which people inhabiting the developed countries enjoy currently in comparison to the life expectancy of people in the same regions many centuries back.
The immune system is considered to be the most complicated system in our body. Precisely speaking, the immune system comprises the spleen, the thymus gland, bone marrow as well as an immense linkage or net of lymph nodes that are all spread out all over our body. In addition, the immune system sustains various white blood cells - the natural killer cells eliminate the cancer cells and the large white blood cells, known as macrophages, eat up the damaged or diseased cells. Moreover, specific immune amalgams, for instance, interferon, incite the white blood cells to eliminate the cancer cells.
It is interesting to note that our immune system does not rest for even a moment and is active for 24 hours every day throughout our life. In fact, all through one's life, his/ her immune system is scouring for cells that seem to be infected or have developed cancerous symptoms. In order to support as well as fortify our immune system, we need to try and pursue the lifestyle suggestions mentioned below.