immunity Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is active immunity?
Active immunity is when your immune system makes its own antibodies after being stimulated by an antigen. It can be natural (e.g., after catching a disease) or artificial (e.g., after receiving a vaccination).
What are the two types of active immunity?
The two types of active immunity are natural (immunity after catching a disease) and artificial (immunity after receiving a vaccination).
What is passive immunity?
Passive immunity is when you receive antibodies made by a different organism. Your immune system does not produce its own antibodies. It can be natural (e.g., antibodies from the mother through the placenta or breast milk) or artificial (e.g., receiving antibodies from someone else through an injection).
What are the two types of passive immunity?
The two types of passive immunity are natural (antibodies from the mother to the baby) and artificial (receiving antibodies through an injection).
What is the main difference between active and passive immunity?
Active immunity requires exposure to an antigen and produces long-term protection, whereas passive immunity does not require exposure to an antigen and provides short-term protection.
What are the similarities between active and passive immunity?
Both active and passive immunity provide protection against disease. However, active immunity takes time to develop, while passive immunity provides immediate protection.
How long does protection last with active immunity?
Protection with active immunity is long-term.
How long does protection last with passive immunity?
Protection with passive immunity is short-term.
Do memory cells get produced in active immunity?
Yes, memory cells are produced in active immunity.
Do memory cells get produced in passive immunity?
No, memory cells are not produced in passive immunity.
What happens in autoimmune diseases?
In autoimmune diseases, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells because it doesn’t recognize self-antigens as its own.
Give an example of an autoimmune disease.
Examples of autoimmune diseases include lupus (attacks connective tissues) and rheumatoid arthritis (attacks joints).
How are autoimmune diseases typically treated?
Autoimmune diseases are usually chronic and long-term. They can be treated but not cured.
What is the purpose of a vaccine?
Vaccines contain antigens that help your body produce memory cells against a pathogen, without causing the disease. This leads to immunity without symptoms.
What is herd immunity?
Herd immunity occurs when most people in a community are vaccinated, making the disease rare and reducing the chances of unvaccinated people getting infected because there’s no one to catch it from.
What are the types of antigens in vaccines?
Vaccines may contain free antigens or antigens attached to a dead or attenuated (weakened) pathogen.
What are booster vaccines?
Booster vaccines are given later (e.g., after several years) to ensure memory cells are produced and immunity is maintained.
What is the difference between vaccination and immunisation?
Vaccination is the administration of antigens into the body, while immunisation is the process of developing immunity after vaccination.
What is the MMR vaccine?
The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. It is usually given to children at around one year old and again before school. It contains attenuated viruses.
What is the Meningitis C vaccine?
The Meningitis C vaccine protects against the bacteria causing Meningitis C. It is first given to babies at 3 months, with boosters at 1 year old and during teenage years.
Why does the influenza vaccine change every year?
The influenza vaccine changes every year because the antigens on the influenza virus surface change regularly, forming new strains that memory cells from past vaccines may not recognize.
How do health organizations handle the changing flu strains?
Health organizations like the WHO and CDC collect samples of different influenza strains, test vaccine effectiveness, and develop a new vaccine each year for the most circulating strains.
Why do people sometimes receive vaccines for strains from other countries?
People may receive vaccines for strains causing epidemics in other countries to prevent the strain from spreading globally.
