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What is your immune system, and how does it protect you? Various studies explain that a robust immune system combats against viruses entering the body. The immune system carries out tons of reactions and responses against pathogens. These responses are only possible when the immune system is strong enough. As the coronavirus is spreading like wildfire across the globe, there is a need to look for ways to minimize the risk of catching it. One way to reduce the risk of viral invasion is to increase the body’s immunity. A robust immune system can work wonders for defending the body from pathogens.The viral infections which once used to be deadly are now curable. The development of vaccines helps a lot in creating strong immunity against viruses. Be it the primitive, dangerous HIV or the prevailing contagious novel coronavirus. A robust immune system can fight off all. What is the immune system? The body’s first line of defense against viruses, bacteria, or any foreign material is the immune system. A more robust immune system reduces the chances of infections in the body. Without a robust immune system, the human body will be more likely to get infections and diseases.
What are the essential functions of the immune system?
The principal function of the immune system is, undoubtedly, protection or immunity. Immunity is an organism’s ability to combat viruses, bacteria, diseases, and infections without causing self-harm. In particular, the immune system is an extensive network of organs, glands, cells, and hormones. The functions that it serves are confined to protecting the body. The functions of the immune system are as follows.
- To guard the body against intracellular and extracellular pathogens.
- To eliminate the chances of auto-immune diseases or self-destructive reactions.
What is the immune system?
The immune system is an essential factor in safeguarding the body. There are two subtypes of the immune system that work jointly to protect the body against any apparent disease. Let’s study the two types of immune systems and discuss their working briefly.
- Innate Immune System:
The innate immune system is the one that is present in every single being by birth. It is also called the non-specific or general immune system. The innate immune system triggers a pathogen’s entry into the body and engulfs it with phagocytes’ help.
- Adaptive Immune System:
The adaptive immune system is the one that the body gains. It is also called a gainer or specific immune system. The adaptive immune system develops when the body produces a defense mechanism after exposure to a pathogen. Another way to develop the adaptive immune system is immunization, i.e., vaccination.
What is the working mechanism of the immune system?
The immune system protects the body against every pathogenic foreign material. It tries to eradicate the pathogenic foreign substance to guard the body. It produces antibodies in response to the antigens that enter the body. As soon as the antigen enters the body, it activates a cascade of responses. The immune system’s organs, cells, and chemicals produce the defense mechanism. Here are the brief mechanisms of the cells of the immune system. B cells or lymphocytic white blood cells secrete antibodies against the antigen that enter the body.
T cells or the T lymphocytes have two types: helper T cells and killer T cells. As clear by the name, Helper T cells help generate a signal to trigger the destruction of the foreign body. They also produce antigen-specific responses.Killer T cells kill viral, bacterial, and other pathogenic cells that invade the body. Dendritic cells create a link between outer tissues and the immune cells. Also, they present antigens to the T cells for killing. Dendritic cells process the antigen so the immune cells can recognize them. Macrophages are the white blood cells that engulf or eat large microparticles. Thus, they digest the viral cell components or every possible pathogenic material in a broader range. Phagocytosis is the process by which the macrophages eat the pathogenic macromolecules.
The Last Word on the Immune System
Your immune system is a complex and vastly intricate system of interconnected parts. Once it is damaged, it’s challenging to figure out the problem and how to fix it. But you don’t have to worry about that. By eating a healthy diet and performing healthy activities, you prevent your immune system from breaking down.
You need a healthy immune system to fight against viruses, bacteria, yeast, and other dangerous organisms. When injured or sick, most people die because their immune system breaks down and can no longer protect them against the disease or injury. There is a correlation between living a long life and having a healthy immune system. So, if you want to live a long healthy life, take care of your immune system with a healthy diet, quality sleep, fun activities, and exercise.
