Your Immune System Needs Support Too

By Lisa Hyde-Barrett, published Oct 23, 2005
Published Content: 7  Total Views: 3,398  Favorited By: 0 CPs
Rating: 3.1 of 5
The human body is a very vulnerable organism, except for the very strong line of defense that the immune system has thrown around it. Without the natural defense system provided by the immune system, the bacteria, microbes, viruses, toxins, parasites, etc., would reduce the body to its chemical components in a few days.

That is what happens when the body dies and the immune system is no longer there. The human immune system works 24X7, though its work never comes to the limelight. The failure of the immune system is easily noticeable, though.

Although we inhale and eat thousands of germs everyday, the immune system prevents them from causing diseases. When a germ breaks through the immune system occasionally, we wind up with a disease. Once the immune system learns about these germs, it will fight them, and we get over the malady.���

The major parts of the immune system are the thymus, spleen, lymph system, bone marrow, white blood cells, antibodies, complement system, and hormones.

The immune support system displays dual characteristics: self or non-self recognition, general or specific, and natural or adaptive, cell-mediated or humoral, active or passive, and primary or secondary. Some parts of the immune system act against specific antigens. These parts are called antigen-specific. Other parts of the immune system are systemic, working throughout the human body rather than restricting themselves to the initial infection site. Still others recognize antigens in order to an attack them more vigorously next time they pose a threat. These parts of the immune system are said to possess a memory.���

We are all born with a genetically based natural defense system. The skin is the most important organ of our natural defense system. An injury is a gateway for germs to enter the body. This, or the presence of a foreign object within the body, causes the immune system to act, getting rid of the invaders, while the skin takes care of the wound. When this process does not take place, it results in an infection.

Resources
Comments
Type in Your Comments Below - (1000 characters left)
Your name:

Submit your own content on this or any topic. Get started »
Most Commented On