Immunity Flashcards
What is immunity?
The body’s specific protective response to a foreign agent or organism; resistance to disease, specifically infectious disease.
What is the reason some parents want to stop vaccinating their children?
The supposed link between vaccinations and autism. (It has been disproved)
With the increase of immunizations, what has happened to the amount of incidences of communicable disease?
It has declined.
Have the complications of communicable conditions increased or decreased with the use of antibiotics and antitoxins?
Decreased.
What is important to asses for a infectious condition?
- recent exposure to infectious agents
- prodromal symptoms (early symptoms)
- immunization history (up to date?)
- history of having the disease.
What are Koplik spots?
White spots on the sides of the inside of the mouth.
And early sign of the measles
What is the primary prevention of disease?
Immunizations
How can you control the spread of disease?
Hand washing, reduction of transmission of organisms and infection control policies in place
Which groups of children are at risk for serious complications?
- the immunocompromised
- those receiving steroid or immunosuppressive therapy
- those with generalized malignancies
- those with an immunologic disorder
- infants younger than 1 year
- child with hemolytic diseases (blood disease)
Do infants have any immunity?
Yes, some immunities cross the placenta and some also passed through breast milk
What is natural immunity?
Nonspecific response to any foreign invader
Give me some examples of natural immunity?
WBC, histamine, prostaglandins, inflammatory response, physical barriers
What is acquired immunity?
Specific against a foreign antigen
What are the two types of acquired immunity?
Active and Passive.
What is active immunity?
Deliberately given to you.
Introduce antigen into body, allow immunity to develop
What is passive immunity?
Passed from mother to baby.
Injection of antibodies produced by another host
What are two examples of active immunity?
Vaccines and exposure to pathogen
What are two examples of passive immunity?
Immunoglobulins (antibodies) and mother to baby
What are the variable that affect immune function?
- age and gender(younger than one not vaccinated)
- genetic factors and lifestyle
- nutrition (malnourished - cant fight off anything)
- emotional/physical comorbidities
- surgeries/trauma
- allergies
- history of infection and immunizations
- meds
- psychoneuroimmunologic factors (effects of mind and health and the ability to fight infections)
What type of responses can you have to vaccines?
- local reaction (hurts an injection site and immune system kicks in)
- systemic reaction
- local allergic reaction
- Anaphylaxis (life threatening allergy)
How often is the immunization schedule updated?
Annually
What type of immunity decreases in children?
Transplacental.
What type of booster may adults need to get?
Childhood vaccines.
Why is it important. To assess immunization status at every visit?
To stay up to date.
