Concepts of Immunology

Introduction

Immunology is a discipline of medical and biological research that studies the immune system. The immune system defends us against infection in a variety of ways. When the immune system isn’t working properly, it can lead to diseases including autoimmunity, allergies, and cancer.

Overview

Modern medicine has been transformed by immunology. With continuous research efforts in immunotherapy, autoimmune illnesses, and vaccines for new viruses like Ebola, immunological research continues to broaden our understanding of how to manage critical health challenges

Immunization

Disease germs begin to reproduce as soon as they reach your body. These bacteria are recognized as foreign invaders by your immune system, which responds by producing antibodies. The initial task of antibodies is to aid in the destruction of the microorganisms that are making you unwell. Antibodies may not be able to prevent you from being ill quickly enough, but by destroying the germs that are attacking you, they aid in your recovery.

The second function of antibodies is to protect you from subsequent infections. They stay in your bloodstream and will defend you if the same bacteria try to infect you again, even if it’s been years. Only now, once they’ve had some practice combating these viruses, will they be able to eliminate them before they have a chance to make you sick.

Immunodeficiency disorders are immune system issues that make it difficult for the body to mount a proper defence. As a result, these illnesses are virtually invariably linked to serious infections that persist, recur, and/or cause complications, making them very debilitating and even fatal. Immunodeficiency disorders are divided into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary immunodeficiencies are present from birth, are usually genetic, and are rather uncommon. Common variable immunodeficiency is one such example (CVID). Secondary immunodeficiencies are more common later in life and can occur because of an infection, such as AIDS after HIV infection.

Immunity is produced by the body by the proper food intake, but, as generations passed man’s immunity power started to decrease.

Science has developed numerous vaccines to boost the immunity power and prevent further ailments and fatal diseases like typhoid, pneumonia, and many viral diseases.

Vaccines work by simulating an infection to help develop immunity. However, while this sort of infection nearly never produces sickness, it does trigger the immune system to create T-lymphocytes and antibodies. The imitation infection can sometimes induce modest symptoms, such as fever, after receiving a vaccine.

Vaccines contain a non-harmful component of the infectious pathogen that stimulates the immune system to generate a response, starting with antibody synthesis. Cells that are receptive to the vaccine multiply to produce antibodies specific to the stimulating agent as well as to form memory cells.’ When these memory cells meet the infectious agent a second time, they promptly respond by generating enough antibodies to counteract the threat. Pathogens inside the body are eventually killed, preventing illness from spreading. Due to the successful application of vaccines, certain infectious illnesses such as smallpox, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, tuberculosis, and polio are no longer a concern in Europe.

Production of vaccines

If left to their own devices, vaccines include complex biological components that are naturally unstable and prone to deterioration. As a result, vaccines typically include a few additives to aid with the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness during its long travel from the manufacturing plant to the place of application. These additives include ‘preservatives,’ which prevent the vaccine from becoming contaminated when the vial is opened, and stabilizers, which prevent any chemical reactions. Sugars (such as lactose) or gelatin can be used as stabilizers. Then there are surfactants,’ which prevent the vaccine’s components from sticking together. ‘Diluents’ are liquids that are used to dilute a vaccine to the proper concentration; the most common diluent is sterile water.

‘Residuals,’ on the other hand, are remaining traces of the materials used to create the vaccine, and can contain yeast or egg protein, even though they are not intentionally added to vaccinations. Some vaccines require ‘adjuvants,’ which enhance the immunological response to the vaccine by ensuring that the vaccine remains at the injection site for longer or stimulating local immune cells. Using adjuvants can result in a lower vaccine dose or fewer doses being required.

There are various types of vaccines

• Polio
• Hepatitis B
• Rotavirus
• Pneumonia
• Chickenpox
• Measles
• Shingles
• Smallpox
• Rubella
• Covid 19
• Yellow fever
• Zika
• Flu
• HIV
• Tetanus
• Diphtheria

Vaccine Protection

Vaccines are a potential solution to this issue. They aid in the development of immunity without the need for you to become ill first.

Vaccines are manufactured from disease-causing microorganisms (or sections of them); for example, the polio vaccine is made from the poliovirus. Vaccines, on the other hand, kill or weaken bacteria so they won’t get you sick.

Vaccines containing these weakened or destroyed bacteria are frequently given as injections into your body. Your immune system responds to the vaccine by producing antibodies, in the same manner, it would if it were infected with the disease. Antibodies kill vaccination bacteria in the same way they kill disease germs in a training exercise.

FAQ’s

Explain immune system

The immune system is a highly regulated and balanced system, and disease can ensue if the balance is disrupted. This field of study focuses on diseases that are caused by an immune system malfunction. Much of this research will be useful in the development of new medications and treatments that can help manage or cure the disease by modifying the immune system's function or, in the case of vaccinations, priming the immune system and enhancing the immunological response to certain infections.

How does a vaccine work?

The immune system is a highly regulated and balanced system, and disease can ensue if the balance is disrupted. This field of study focuses on diseases that are caused by an immune system malfunction. Much of this research will be useful in the development of new medications and treatments that can help manage or cure the disease by modifying the immune system's function or, in the case of vaccinations, priming the immune system and enhancing the immunological response to certain infections.

What are the types of vaccines?

Ans: Vaccines are of various types Polio Hepatitis B Rotavirus Pneumonia Chicken Pox Measles Shingles Smallpox Rubella Covid 19 Yellow fever Zika Flu HIV Tetanus Diphtheria

How does the vaccine protect our bodies?

Vaccines containing these weakened or destroyed bacteria are frequently given as injections into your body. Your immune system responds to the vaccine by producing antibodies, in the same manner, it would if it were infected with the disease. Antibodies kill vaccination bacteria in the same way they kill disease germs in a training exercise.