Immune System Basics - How Does It Work?
The human immune system is an amazing and intricate piece of work that keeps us all alive on a daily basis. With all of the viruses, bacteria, micro-organisms and toxins floating around, our bodies have a full time job defending itself against sickness and death. Without the immune system, it would take only a matter of weeks before the human body were reduced to a mere skeleton.
So how does it work?
The immune system is a multi-layered defense system that begins on the outside with the skin, which acts like a fortified wall to keep bacteria out of the body. The skin produces anti-bacterial chemicals that kill most invaders on contact. As long as it remains unbroken, the skin is impervious to bacteria and viruses. Mucous, saliva and tears also contain anti-bacterial enzymes that protect the body from outside invaders.
Inside the body, the defense system is made up of multiple components that work together to fight disease. The lymph nodes and spleen act as filters to keep contaminates out of the blood. The thymus and bone marrow are the "factories" that produce the immune system's weapons. The thymus produces T-cells which are vital to building the immune system in its early development, while the bone marrow produces blood cells. White blood cells in turn produce antibodies.
If a foreign invader manages to get past all the early defense systems, the body's sensors will detect its presence and send out an alert. Antibodies are sent to the site to attack and kill the germ. It is this operation which most often produces the symptoms of an illness. Inoculations are used to help the body identify unknown germs and develop antibodies capable of stopping future infections.
In a nutshell, that's how the immune system works. If you want to know more there are plenty of resources online and at your local library.
