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Innate immunity, also known as native immunity, is a semi-specific and widely distributed form of immunity. It is defined as the first line of defense against pathogens, representing a critical systemic response to prevent infection and maintain homeostasis, contributing to the activation of an adaptive immune response. [ 4 ]
The immune system is a network of biological systems that protects an organism from diseases. It detects and responds to a wide variety of pathogens , from viruses to bacteria , as well as cancer cells , parasitic worms , and also objects such as wood splinters , distinguishing them from the organism's own healthy tissue .
An individual's immunity can be acquired via a natural infection or through artificial means, such as vaccination. [51] When a critical proportion of the population becomes immune, called the herd immunity threshold (HIT) or herd immunity level (HIL), the disease may no longer persist in the population, ceasing to be endemic. [5] [26]
This is a function of the adaptive immune system. Therefore, by exposing a human, or an animal, to an immunogen in a controlled way, its body can learn to protect itself: this is called active immunization. The most important elements of the immune system that are improved by immunization are the T cells, B cells, and the antibodies B cells ...
The mucosal immune system consists of a cellular component, humoral immunity, and defense mechanisms that prevent the invasion of microorganisms and harmful foreign substances into the body. These defense mechanisms can be divided into physical barriers ( epithelial lining , mucus , cilia function , intestinal peristalsis , etc.) and chemical ...
"Immunity theft" isn't a medical term, but some are using it to describe how certain infections impact the immune system, leaving people more vulnerable to other illnesses.
Non-specific immunity, or innate immunity, is the immune system with which you were born, made up of phagocytes and barriers. Phagocytosis, derived from the Greek words phagein, meaning to eat, kytos or cell, and “osis” meaning process, was first described by Élie Metchnikoff, who won the Nobel Prize 100 years ago. Phagocytosis involves ...
When you have a respiratory illness, excess mucus is an under-appreciated line of defense from your immune system. But can you really tell what kind of illness you have or where you are in your ...