Your Body’s Defense

THE BODY’S CAPABILITY OF REMOVING OR KILLING FOREIGN SUBSTANCES, PATHOGENS AND CANCER CELLS Immunity

 Active Immunity-body creates antibodies Through sickness of immunization  Immunization/ vaccine – injected with small amount of pathogen  Passive Immunity-passed from mother to child through birth or breast milk

Innate Immunity is fully functional without previous exposure to substances. Adaptive Immunity is enhanced by being exposed to certain antigens.

Physical Defenses  First line of defense  Skin  Hair  Mucous  Cilia  Saliva  Tears  Sweat  Digestive tract

Skin  Protects from micro-organisms entering the body  Open cuts/ sores provide entrance  Cells die and are shed

Sweat  Our body has many sweat glands  Sweat is released to control body temp  Sweat contains acids that kill pathogens

Mucous Membranes  Moist linings around all entrances to body  Covered with mucous  Mucous = sticky substance  Mucous traps pathogens  Mucous is released from body

Saliva & Tears  Contain enzymes that fight pathogens  Tears wash away foreign substances

Cilia  Tiny hair-like structures  Trap pathogens  Help remove mucous from body

Digestive Tract  Moves pathogens out of body  Acids/ chemicals in digestive tract  Mouth/Esophagus/ Stomach/ intestines  Chemicals kill pathogens

Second Line of Defense  Occurs after pathogen enters the body  Inflammation

Inflammation  1 st stage of healing  Increased blood flow to area  Increased size/ temperature/ redness  Caused by dilation of blood vessels

Phagocytes  Blood brings phagocytes & chemicals  Phagocytes = white blood cells Digest pathogens, dead cells, waste  Chemicals Kill pathogens & start tissue healing

Immune System (Adaptive Immunity)  Last line of defense  Lymphatic system, lymph nodes, lymph, lymphocytes  Lymph nodes store and filter lymph  Lymph - fluid containing lymphocytes  Lymphocytes - white blood cells

Lymphocytes  B-cells & T-cells  T-cells Produce interferon- warns cells about pathogen Kill some pathogens directly  B-cells create antibodies Antibodies bind to pathogens/ toxins until phagocytes find them

Treatment  Antibiotics – kill living organisms Treat bacterial infections only  Fungus are treated with cream or topical treatment

Treatment of Virus  Anti-viral can stop a virus from reproducing Most viruses are fought by our immune system with… Rest Proper diet Water

Prevention  Eat well-balanced meals.  Get enough rest. (8 hours)  Get exercise. (30 minutes at least 3-4 x week)  Wash hands/ shower.  Keep hands out of eyes and mouth.  Have regular physicals/ dental visits.

Prevention  Get vaccinated  Don’t share utensils, glasses, cups etc.  Avoid sick people.  Avoid stress. Use stress management techniques.  Find time to relax.