Fighting Disease - Vaccinations Flashcards
Infection and Response (13 cards)
How long does it take for white blood cells to learn how to deal with a new pathogen?
A few days
During this time, the individual can become quite ill.
What do vaccinations usually involve?
Injecting small amounts of dead or inactive pathogens
These carry antigens which prompt the body to produce antibodies.
What is the purpose of the antigens in vaccines?
To cause the body to produce antibodies
This prepares the immune system to fight off actual pathogens.
What does the MMR vaccine contain?
Weakened versions of the viruses that cause measles, mumps, and rubella
This combination helps provide immunity against all three diseases.
What happens when live pathogens of the same type appear after vaccination?
White blood cells can rapidly mass-produce antibodies
This helps to quickly eliminate the pathogen.
What are the pros of vaccination?
Vaccines help control communicable diseases
Examples include polio, measles, whooping cough, rubella, mumps, and tetanus.
What significant impact has vaccination had on smallpox and polio?
Smallpox no longer occurs at all; polio infections have fallen by 99%
This demonstrates the effectiveness of vaccination programs.
What can prevent big outbreaks of disease (epidemics)?
Vaccination of a large percentage of the population
This reduces the number of individuals capable of transmitting the disease.
What happens if a significant number of people are not vaccinated?
The disease can spread quickly through them
This can lead to many people becoming ill at the same time.
What is one con of vaccination?
Vaccines don’t always work
Sometimes they fail to provide immunity.
What are potential reactions to vaccines?
Swelling, fever, or seizures
However, serious reactions are very rare.
Fill in the blank: Vaccines help control lots of ______ diseases that were once common.
communicable
True or False: The body can produce antibodies to fight off pathogens after vaccination.
True
