The Human Immune System
The immune system is a complex network of cells and proteins that defends the body against infection.
The immune system keeps a record of every germ (microbe) it has ever defeated so it can recognize and destroy the microbe quickly if it enters the body again.
Abnormalities of the immune system can lead to allergic diseases, immunodeficiencies, and autoimmune disorders.
The immune system is made up of special organs, cells, and chemicals that fight infection (microbes).
The immune system and microbial infection
The immune system keeps a record of every microbe it has ever defeated.
This occurs in types of white blood cells (B- and T-lymphocytes) known as memory cells.
This means it can recognize and destroy the microbe quickly if it enters the body again before it can multiply and make you feel sick.
Some infections, like the flu and the common cold, have to be fought many times because so many different viruses or strains of the same type of virus can cause these illnesses.
Catching a cold or flu from one virus does not give you immunity against the others.
The main parts of the immune system are:
white blood cells
antibodies
complement system
lymphatic system
spleen
bone marrow
thymus
White blood cells
White blood cells are the key players in your immune system. They are made in your bone marrow and are part of the lymphatic system.
White blood cells move through blood and tissue throughout your body, looking for foreign invaders (microbes) such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.
When they find them, they launch an immune attack.
White blood cells include lymphocytes (such as B-cells, T-cells, and natural killer cells), and many other types of immune cells.
Antibodies
Antibodies help the body to fight microbes or the toxins (poisons) they produce.
They do this by recognizing substances called antigens on the surface of the microbe, or in the chemicals they produce, which mark the microbe or toxin as being foreign.
The antibodies then mark these antigens for destruction. There are many cells, proteins, and chemicals involved in this attack.
Complement system
The complement system is made up of proteins whose actions complement the work done by antibodies.
Lymphatic system
The lymphatic system is a network of delicate tubes throughout the body.
The main roles of the lymphatic system are to:
manage the fluid levels in the body
react to bacteria
deal with cancer cells
deal with the cell products that otherwise would result in disease or disorders
absorb some of the fats in our diet from the intestine.
The lymphatic system is made up of:
lymph nodes (also called lymph glands) — which trap microbes
lymph vessels — tubes that carry lymph, the colorless fluid that bathes the body’s tissues and contains infection-fighting white blood cells
white blood cells (lymphocytes).
Spleen
The spleen is a blood-filtering organ that removes microbes and destroys old or damaged red blood cells. It also makes disease-fighting components of the immune system (including antibodies and lymphocytes).
Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found inside your bones.
It produces the red blood cells our bodies need to carry oxygen, the white blood cells we use to fight infection, and the platelets we need to help our blood clot.
Thymus
The thymus filters and monitors your blood content. It produces white blood cells called T-lymphocytes.
The body’s other defenses against microbes
As well as the immune system, the body has several other ways to defend itself against microbes, including:
skin – a waterproof barrier that secretes oil with bacteria-killing properties
lungs – mucous in the lungs (phlegm) traps foreign particles and small hairs
(cilia) wave the mucous upwards so it can be coughed out
digestive tract – the mucous lining contains antibodies, and the acid in the stomach can kill most microbes
other defenses – body fluids like skin oil, saliva, and tears contain anti-bacterial enzymes that help reduce the risk of infection.
The constant flushing of the urinary tract and the bowel also helps.
Fever is an immune system response
A rise in body temperature, or fever, can happen with some infections.
This is an immune system response.
A temperature rise can kill some microbes. Fever also triggers the body’s repair process.
Common disorders of the immune system
It is common for people to have an over-active or underactive immune system.
Overactivity of the immune system can take many forms, including:
allergic diseases – where the immune system makes an overly strong response to allergens.
Allergic diseases are very common.
They include allergies to foods, medications, or stinging insects, anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergy), hay fever (allergic rhinitis), sinus disease, asthma, hives (urticaria), dermatitis, and eczema
autoimmune diseases – where the immune system mounts a response against normal components of the body.
Autoimmune diseases range from common to rare.
They include multiple sclerosis, autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic vasculitis.
Under the activity of the immune system, also called immunodeficiency, can:
be inherited – examples of these conditions include primary immunodeficiency diseases such as common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), and complement deficiencies that arise as a result of medical treatment – this can occur due to medications such as corticosteroids or chemotherapy.
An underactive immune system does not function correctly and makes people vulnerable to infections.
It can be life-threatening in severe cases.
People who have had an organ transplant need immunosuppression treatment to prevent the body from attacking the transplanted organ.
Immunoglobulin therapy
Immunoglobulins (commonly known as antibodies) are used to treat people who are unable to make enough of their own, or whose antibodies do not work properly.
This treatment is known as immunoglobulin therapy.
Until recently, immunoglobulin therapy mostly involved the delivery of immunoglobulins through a drip into the vein – known as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy.
Now, subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) can be delivered into the fatty tissue under the skin, which may offer benefits for some patients. This is known as a subcutaneous infusion or SCIg therapy.
Subcutaneous immunoglobulin is similar to intravenous immunoglobulin.
It is made from plasma – the liquid part of blood containing important proteins like antibodies.
Immunization
Immunization works by copying the body’s natural immune response. A vaccine (a small amount of a specially treated virus, bacterium, or toxin) is injected into the body. The body then makes antibodies to it.
If a vaccinated person is exposed to the actual virus, bacterium, or toxin, they won’t get sick because their body will recognize it and know how to attack it successfully.
Vaccinations are available against many diseases, including measles and tetanus.
The immunizations you may need are decided by your health, age, lifestyle, and occupation.
Together, these factors are referred to as HALO, which is defined as:
health – some health conditions or factors may make you more vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases.
For example, premature birth, asthma, diabetes, heart, lung, spleen, or kidney conditions, Down syndrome, and HIV will mean you may benefit from additional or more frequent immunizations
Age – at different ages, you need protection from different vaccine-preventable diseases.
lifestyle – lifestyle choices can have an impact on your immunization needs.
Traveling overseas to certain places, planning a family, sexual activity, smoking, and playing contact sports that may expose you directly to someone else’s blood, will mean you may benefit from additional or more frequent immunizations.
occupation – you are likely to need extra immunizations, or need to have them more often if you work in an occupation that exposes you to vaccine-preventable diseases or puts you into contact with people who are more susceptible to problems from vaccine-preventable diseases (such as babies or young children,
pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic or acute health conditions).
For example, if you work in aged care, childcare, healthcare, emergency services, or sewerage repair and maintenance, you should discuss your immunization needs with your doctor.
