The Immune System and its Subsets

 

The immune system is the defense in our body against a stranger microorganism entering.

The immune system is a complex network of organs, cells, proteins, and tissues that work together to shield the body against infection to maintain overall health. It plays an essential role in protecting the body against harmful germs and substances that could cause illness, infection, or disease. The concept of the human immune system is simple: The stronger your immune system, the lesser will be the possibilities of you falling ill. It does not mean it makes you invulnerable, but your first line of defense will be a much stronger wall for any bacterial or viral infection to enter your body. If your immune system is strong, your body will send enough antibodies and white blood cells to fight any attack, regardless how severe.

There are two subsets of the immune system that work in concert with one another in a healthy and properly functioning system.

Innate Immunity is something we are all born with. This system recognizes an invader, which stimulates an immune response eliminating bacteria, viruses, or any other foreign matter. This innate immunity includes the skin and mucous membranes of the throat and stomach. If a pathogen manages to evade the innate response, the adaptive or acquired immunity will take over.

Our Adaptive (Acquired) Immunity develops over time as we are exposed to various types of bacteria, fungi, or viruses, either through exposure to an infection or through vaccination. Over time, the body develops antibodies specific to certain pathogens based on the body’s memory to past exposure.