Immune System
What is the immune system?
The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, organs, and other substances in the body that aid the body in its fight against infection and disease.
Some of the elements that make up the immune system include:
- White blood cells
- Lymph nodes
- Thymus
- Tonsils
- Spleen
- Lymph vessels
- Bone marrow
The immune system’s job is to protect the body from pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and toxins. It finds outside invaders, marks them as foreign, and then attacks them. Other parts of the immune system, such as the body’s mucous membranes, create physical barriers that keep out harmful germs.
The immune system consists of two parts: the innate immune system (which someone is born with) and the adaptive immune system (which develops when the body is exposed to microbes)
How does the immune system improve health?
The immune system is the body’s primary force against infection and diseases and can be aided by healthcare. Medications such as antibiotics can help the immune system fight bacteria, and vaccines can help the adaptive immune system learn to recognize and attack a particular type of virus.
In cases when the immune system does not function properly, autoimmune conditions can develop, which are often chronic conditions.