The Four types of immunity

Bacteria, viruses, fungus, and protozoa are just a few of the microorganisms that live all around us. These contaminants can be found in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we consume. Many of these bacteria are pathogens, meaning they can cause disease. Almost every living entity has evolved a defence system that either stops harmful microorganisms from entering their bodies or eliminates them once they do. Antibodies are proteins that the body produces in order to neutralise or kill poisons or disease-causing organisms. Antibodies are specific to a certain disease. There are four types of immunity that build up the immunity of a human body.

Factors affecting Immunity

Let’s take a look at some of the things that can affect your immunity:

Age

Immune systems in children and the elderly are frequently weaker than in healthy, younger adults. As a result, they are more prone to infection. This is due to the fact that a child’s immune system takes 8 to 10 years to fully develop. Immunity, on the other hand, begins to decline in persons above the age of 60.  The rate at which we deteriorate is also determined by our genetic makeup.

Nutrition

Nutritional deficiency has a direct and negative effect on immunity. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet can help to strengthen the immune system. Proteins and other macronutrients are necessary by the body to help it fight infections. Micronutrients such as vitamin C, iron, zinc, and others are also vital for immune system health.

Lifestyle

While a healthy lifestyle promotes immunity, a sedentary lifestyle combined with insufficient sleep might have a negative influence. Immunity is also harmed by harmful behaviours such as smoking and drinking. Your immune system will stay strong if you eat a balanced diet, drink enough water, and get at least 8 hours of sleep each night. Regular exercise and minimising stress can also help to keep your immune system in good shape.

How many types of immunity are there?

Well, then there are four types of immunity, depending on how your body’s immunity has developed.

Active Immunity

When we come into contact with a disease that is damaging to us, our immune system produces active immunity. We are exposed to them throughout the day, whether it is from what we consume, breathe, or touch. Fortunately, most of these will not cause any dangerous diseases because our immune system will fight them off. Another important aspect of active immunity is long-term protection in the form of immunological memory. Cells B and T in this memory work together to sense infections. 

Passive Immunity

Passive immunity refers to protection provided by something other than one’s own immune system. Passive immunity, unlike active immunity, is short-lived because the antibodies in this type of immunity are not renewed on a regular basis, as they would be in a person whose immune system is responding actively. Passive immunity can occur from:

Innate Immunity

Innate immunity is a type of immunity that protects the body from illnesses by triggering a rapid immune response when a pathogen assaults. Innate immunity is made up of a number of barriers that protect the body against viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other foreign substances, as well as obstructing their ability to propagate and disseminate throughout the body. This entails the following:

• Physical barriers include the skin, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, nose, throat, body hair, eyes, and eyelashes, among other things.
• Mucous, stomach acid, saliva, tears, perspiration, secretions, and other defence systems.
• General immune reactions, such as inflammation, which allows blood to flow to the infection site, and complement, which is an immunological response that labels pathogens for destruction by punching a hole in their cell membrane.

The presence of antigens and their chemical capacities activates the innate immune system, which is always directed against alien or non-self-substances.

Adaptive Immunity 

Adaptive immunity is a type of immunity that develops after being exposed to a disease or infection, as well as after receiving a vaccination. Acquired immunity is another name for it. It is primarily activated when innate immunity is insufficient to combat these hazardous substances, and it employs an immunological memory to learn about the threat and strengthens the immune system to respond appropriately. An excellent example of this can be found in our daily lives: when we have a cold for the first time, it takes longer to recover. The healing time shortens the second time it reappears. Adaptive immunity, unlike innate immunity, has an immunological memory and so provides prolonged protection. 

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, the immune system is complex but necessary for our survival, and it consists of a collection of cells, organs, and, as we saw in this blog, four types of immunity, all of which work in perfect harmony, synchrony, and in accordance to protect the body and fight off outside invaders that could cause irreversible harm. Immunity is a body defence mechanism that aids in the battle against unwelcome invaders. The presence of antibodies to a disease in a person’s system confers immunity against that sickness.