World Immunization Day
November 10 is
World Immunization Day, and in honour of this occasion, here are some facts
about immunization and vaccination.
What is
Immunization, and How Does Your Immune System Work?
The immune system
is a complex defense system that protects the body from diseases and harmful
substances by preventing pathogens from invading. It can distinguish between
healthy tissue and unwanted substances by detecting molecular patterns of
pathogens. The immune system consists of various components, including:
T & B Cells:
These cells help by engulfing cellular debris.
White Blood Cells
(Leukocytes): They are the primary defenders against viruses and bacteria,
multiplying to fight pathogens.
Spleen: It
removes dead pathogens from the body.
Thymus Gland:
This gland develops lymphocytes called T cells, which play a key role in immune
response.
Lymphatic System:
It returns excess fluid to the bloodstream and defends against microorganisms.
It contains lymph nodes, lymph fluid, and bone marrow (which produces both
white and red blood cells).
White blood cells
protect the body by attacking pathogens and antigens (foreign substances that
pose a threat to the body).
The immune system
also has the ability to remember specific antigens it has encountered before.
This "memory" reflex makes it easier to recognize and respond to an
antigen if the body encounters it again.
There are two
types of immune systems: Innate (inborn) and adaptive
Innate IS: AKA
general immune system is the initial line of defence against microbial diseases
it takes care of germ cells for example when they try to enter the body through
Greetings to the
Adaptive immune
system : AKA specialized immune system is acquired immunity we get by
Vaccination . If innate immune system fails in protecting the body from germs ,
adaptive immune system takes over , it has the disadvantage of being slower
when responding but it responds more accurately .
Immunization: is
one of the most successful high tech , low pain , low cost public health intervention mechanism that is
implemented by vaccination .
Vaccination, it's
definition , history and types
·
Vaccination –your best shot 😉 : the word
vaccine comes from the Latin word for cow (vacca). It's a weak/ dead strain of
virus or bacteria (anigen) which works by being injected to the body and
helping it build resistance by creating antibodies for the injected antigens so that, your body's
memory reflex activates and you can be prepared when the actual antigen attacks
. It's an effective & harmless way of protecting your body .
·
Vaccine history :from as early as the
15th century , people have exposed other people to small pox ( one
of the deadliest diseases ) as a means to prevent illness in the long run . This is the case
practice s known as variolation ( named after the Latin name of small for small
pox la variole ) this practice was 1st observed in parts of Asia and
Africa before it was brought to Europe . This observation made the breakthrough
hypothesis that people who are infected with cowpox (a disease caused by the
same virus family as small pox even-though
less serious & is named that way b/c it transmits via infected cows ) can
protect a person from small pox . This is when the work of Dr. Edward Jenner came
through , he made the 1st ever successful vaccine in 1796 by using the previous hypothesis which
worked , this vaccine then became widespread and went on to eradicate small pox
in the 1980's . In 1885 Louis Pasteur ( inventor
of pasteurization technique ) made the 1st lab synthesized vaccine to
prevent rabies through post exposure vaccination (vaccination after being
exposed to the disease).
·
Vaccination types and what they're used
to protect against
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