Posted by Chris M. on 3/16/2008, 11:47 pm, in reply to "Virus or Bacteria...."
72.251.80.233
Because virus are such simple particles, if we have a normal and healthy immune system, our bodies can notice changes in the cells that are attacked and send defense cells out to isolate the virus. Suddenly we have mucous, in even ugly amounts which is intended to swamp and enfold the blooming virus and sweep it out of your body. Our body then does an alarm to our immune system to "Please note, body: that star shape virus is an enemy, build an antibody please to defeat any further invasions". That's how vaccines work: raising antibodies against the bums. It's a strong reason to avoid steroids which smother our immune defenses. If we encounter virus from new neighbors, or new exposures, our immune system needs to be on the alert for similarities and can help dampen new exposures.
Fortuately we also have some "vaccines" for Pneumococcal bacterial types, and some influenza virus. The simpler the virus, the better our protections and the easier for our immune systems.
For every season in the far East, winter arrives and there is an outbreak of newly mutated influenza virus of all sorts.
International Docs do their best to take the most active six virus each year and develop a vaccine for our use against the seasons newest crop. Within a few weeks of our "Flu shot" our bodies develop antibodies against those chosen virus which we received as deadened virus. If our immune system works well, we should be able to fight off exposure to these we find in our population as our winter season progresses.
Our antibodies build over the years, too, just as it does for young children as they share virus with other children. Children as always are strong antibody makers, having youth and a full defense system. It is also why they recieve so many vaccines as they start out in life as we are able to protect them while they are so able to build a great immune system.
We are becoming better scientists as research continues. The more complicated bacteria do damage with the products they spill out into our bodies and make others to defend themselves and mutate.
We are beginning to understand those mechanisms and may soon be developing vaccines to allow us to develop antibodies to some vicious bacteria too. We've done it for a few bacteria (pneumococcal etc), now we need them before they all become resistant.
That will be the end of antibiotics and we will need a good immune system to build the antibodies to match these changing bacteria. It is why today there are fewer new antibiotics being made, but lots of products to build your immune system and why we hear so much about "probiotics". Keep your body in good shape to fight against the nasty invaders and build antibodies.
Responses: