Active and Passive Immunity

The capacity of the body to eliminate unwanted substances and pathogens in order to avoid future infection is referred to as immunity. Adaptive immunity is the third line of defense. Adaptive immunity is classified into two types: active immunity and passive immunity.

Active Immunity 

Active immunity is described as immunity to a pathogen that develops after being exposed to the infection. When the body is exposed to a new disease agent, B cells, which are a kind of white blood cell, produce antibodies that aid in the destruction or neutralization of the disease agent. Antibodies are y-shaped proteins that have the ability to attach to antigens on toxins or infections. Antibodies are disease-specific, which means that each antibody defends the body from a single pathogen. Antibodies created when the body identifies the viral disease mumps, for example, will not give any protection against cold or flu infections.

When antibodies to infections and diseases are present, your immunity strengthens. The function of antibodies is to harm or destroy alien microorganisms that reach your body. Both passive and active immunity fulfil this goal, although they differ in how antigens are produced. Active immunity occurs in reaction to new experiences such as breathing fresh air, eating new foods, and handling new things. People with ordinary immune systems do not become ill whenever anything new enters their bodies since active immunity is always striving to eliminate foreign invaders. There are several examples of active immunity since your body is always exposed to and responds to new infections.

Active immunity has the advantage of lasting longer than protective immunity. Active immunity produces a type of cell with a good memory, and then when they detect a harmful infection, their memory is activated. The cells proliferate and notify other sections of the immune response that something familiar has returned, and they collaborate to combat something they know how to beat. Although you normally take in non-life-threatening foreign chemicals, it is conceivable that you will stumble across something deadly. Because active immunity is unpredictable, sickness and disease have a greater chance of occurring. 

Passive Immunity

Any contributions provided by the body that are not made by the immune system are referred to as passive immunity. These are less prevalent, but they are crucial because they allow our systems to launch a proactive defence against serious illnesses and diseases.

Passive immunity is beneficial to your health since it allows you to be ready to tackle certain, hazardous illnesses and diseases right away. It shields your body against dangers that it might not be able to resist on its own. Furthermore, passive immunity quickly boosts your immune system. The most significant disadvantage of passive immunity is these antibodies do not persist in the body for very long. Because your body isn’t constantly responding to certain diseases, the antibodies that combat them will deplete if they aren’t replenished. Mothers and their children are one of the most prevalent examples of passive immunity. Babies receive passive immunity from their moms before birth and for an amount of time thereafter. Maternal antibodies are provided via their mother’s placenta and breastfeeding to assist keep them going.

Active And Passive Immunity: Difference

Active Immunity

• Active immunity is generally lasting because it is formed by the host’s antibodies in reaction to direct interaction with an antigen
• Immunological memory is formed as a result of active immunity
• Antibodies and other particular lymphocytes are created when antigens enter the body
• There are no negative consequences
• Immunity does not develop overnight

Passive Immunity

• Passive immunity only lasts a few weeks or even months
• It is caused by the entry of various antigens into the host
• Immunological memory is not produced by passive immunity
• Antibodies are acquired from outside sources
• A mother, for example, transfers antibodies to a fetus via the placenta and to a newborn via mother’s milk
• It may result in responses
• Immunity develops almost immediately

Conclusion 

We discussed the difference between active and passive immunity and other related topics through the study material notes on the difference between active and passive immunity. In human bodies, active immunity outnumbers passive immunity. As we are exposed to novel microorganisms and diseases, our unique immune systems develop active immunity automatically. There are two forms of immunity: active and passive: When our own immune system is in charge of safeguarding us from a disease, this is referred to as active immunity. Passive immunity happens when we are shielded from a disease by the immunity of another person.