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Shield of the Body:Immunity



INTRODUCTION 

As the title suggests,our immune system functions as a shield for our body protecting us against them pathogens,foreign particles to which we are constantly exposed in this fas forward world.To prevent illness and fight off infections everyone requires a healthy working immune system.
This system constitutes a complex network of cells,tissues and organs which work altogether to recognize and eliminate the pathogens which we encounter everyday ranging from bacterias to viruses to fungi and parasites.It plays a significant role in affecting our daily lifestyle as a healthy immune system will be able to cope with illness physically as well as mentally whereas a weak immune system will be vulnerable to infections,diseases and chronic conditions.
Our focus should be very strong for having a healthy immune system as the modern lifestyle which we pursue includes lack of sleep,poor diet and stress which leads to the weakening of immune system this making us more prone to illness and diseases. Obesity,diabetes and autoimmune disorders are some chronic ailments because of which they power of our immune system decreases.
In this blog,we will provide an insight to the spread awareness for one to build up a healthy immune system.


WORKING OF AN IMMUNE SYSTEM

As we know, it is a complex network of cells,tissues and organs working altogether to fight against foreign invaders affecting our body.Its primary function is to recognize and eliminate the pathogens,thus preventing us from any harm.
It has three lines of defense working together to protect the body:
•Physical Barrier : Pathogens are prevented from entering the body by physical barriers like skin and mucous membrane.
•Innate immunity : Cells like neutrophils and Macrophages provide immediate defense against the pathogens by recognizing and eliminating them.
•Adaptive immunity : Cells like T-cells and B-cells provide long-term immunity by recognizing and remembering the particular pathogens.
Whenever a pathogen invades a body,our immune system responds in the following ways:
•Recognition: It follows a pattern called recognition receptors on immune cells to recognize the pathogen.
•Activation : An antigen is presented to T cells as they dendritic cells are being activated upon recognition of pathogen.
•Proliferation: The effector cells namely cytotoxic T cells and helper T ce8lls are produced as T cells differentiate and increase in number.
•Elimination: The mechanisms like phagocytosis,antibody production and cell-mediated cytotoxicity are carried out by effector cells to eliminate pathogens.
•Memory: Our system retains the memory of the specific pathogen allowing for a rapid immune response if exposed in near future.
The key players in immune system are:
•White blood cells : Types of white blood cells which play an important role in providing immune response are:
Neutrophils,Macrophages,Dendritic cells,T cells and B cells.
•Lymph Nodes: A site for immune cells to respond and react against pathogen by filtering the lymph fluid.
•Spleen: It acts like a filter for blood which stores immune cells like macrophages and dendritic cells.
An individual can face certain diseases and disorders due to an imbalance in the immune system:
•Autoimmune Diseases: It attacks on the healthy tissues causing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis,lupus and multiple sclerosis.
•Immunodeficiency Diseases: Immune system is impaired in conditions like HIV/AIDS thus it becomes difficult to fight with pathogens causing an infection.
•Allergies: It involves an overreaction of immune system to harmless substances like pollen or peanuts.


FACTORS AFFECTING IMMUNE SYSTEM 

The impact on the immune system can be positive or negative because of some factors by which it is influenced.
Factors Weakening the Immune system:
•When the essential nutrients like vitamins,minerals and proteins are not taken properly in a diet then immune system can be impaired.
•Cortisol,a hormone which weakens immune cells is released by immune system as it gets suppressed by prolonged stress.
•We are more susceptible towards illness when we don't have adequate amount of sleep.
•The risk of infections increases as smoking damage lungs and impairs immune function.
•The risk if vulnerable diseases also increases as drinking alcohol in large quantity can weaken immune cells.
•Functions of immune system are impaired due to conditions like diabetes,obesity and autoimmune disorders.
•Aging leads to the weakening of immune system naturally making the old age people more prone to pathogens causing an infection.
Factors Strengthening the Immune system 
•A diet rich in fruits,vegetables,whole grains and lean proteins can support immune system for becoming strong.
•Reduction in inflammation and boost in immune function can be achieved by moderate intensity exercises.
•Proper amount if sleep helps in the proper regulation of immune system thus preventing illness.
•Stress reducing techniques like meditation and yoga will help in mitigating the negative impact of stress on the immune system.
•Taking recommended vaccines on time will help an individual from being affected by specific diseases and infections.


IMMUNIZATIONS AND VACCINATIONS 

Immunizations and vaccinations both are an essential tools for prevention of infectious diseases and protection of public health. They work by introducing a small, harmless piece of a pathogen, like a virus or bacteria  into the body, that triggers an immune response. This response aids in helping the body to recognize and fight off the pathogen if it encounters it again in the future.
Types of Vaccines:
•Inactivated Vaccines: Flu vaccines contains killed or inactivated pathogens.
•Live, Attenuated Vaccines:  MMR vaccines contains weakened or attenuated pathogens.
• Conjugate Vaccines: Combine a weakened pathogen with a carrier protein, such as pneumococcal conjugate vaccines.
•mRNA Vaccines: Use a piece of genetic material called messenger RNA to instruct cells to produce a specific protein, such as COVID-19 vaccines.
Importance of Vaccinations:
•Prevention of Infectious Diseases: They can prevent serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases, such as measles, mumps, and whooping cough.
•Herd Immunity: They help in the protection of vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly and young children, by preventing the spread of diseases in the community.
•Reduction of Disease Outbreaks: They can reduce the risk of disease outbreaks and epidemics, protecting public health and preventing economic losses.
Recommended Vaccination Schedules
•Childhood Vaccinations: Follow the recommended vaccination schedule for children, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the World Health Organization (WHO).
•Adult Vaccinations: Stay up-to-date on recommended vaccinations for adults, such as flu vaccines and Tdap boosters.




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