Better to prevent than to cure. Organs and cells of the immune system

Infectious diseases are a group of diseases that are caused by specific pathogens:

• pathogenic bacteria;
• viruses;
• the simplest fungi.

Prevention of infectious diseases is a set of measures aimed at preventing diseases or eliminating risk factors. These activities are general (increasing the material well-being of people, improving medical support and maintenance, elimination of the causes of diseases, improvement of working conditions, life and recreation of the population, protection environment and others) and special (medical and sanitary, hygienic and anti-epidemic).

The immediate cause of the occurrence of an infectious disease is the introduction into the human body pathogens and their entry into interaction with cells and tissues of the body.

Sometimes the occurrence of an infectious disease can be caused by the ingestion, mainly with food, of toxins of pathogens. The classification of the main diseases to which the human body is susceptible is shown in Table 2.

Most infectious diseases are characterized by periodicity of development. There are the following periods of the development of the disease: incubation (latent), initial, the period of the main manifestations (peak) of the disease and the period of extinction of the symptoms of the disease (recovery).

Incubation period- this is the period of time from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first clinical symptoms infection.

For each infectious disease, there are certain limits on the duration of the incubation period, which can range from several hours (with food poisoning) up to one year (with rabies) and even several years. For example, incubation period with rabies, it is 15 to 55 days, but it can sometimes take up to a year or more.

Initial period accompanied by general manifestations of an infectious disease: malaise, often chills, fever, headache, and sometimes nausea, that is, signs of the disease that do not have any clear specific features. The initial period is not observed in all diseases and usually lasts several days.

table 2
Classification of the main infectious diseases of a person according to the organs mainly affected by the pathogen, routes of entry, transmission and methods of its release into the external environment

The period of the main manifestations of the disease characterized by the emergence of the most significant and specific symptoms this disease. During this period, the death of the patient may occur, or, if the body has coped with the action of the pathogen, the disease passes into the next period - recovery.

The period of extinction of symptoms of the disease characterized by the gradual disappearance of the main symptoms. Clinical recovery almost never coincides with full recovery of the body's vital functions.

Recovery can be complete, when all the disturbed functions of the body are restored, or incomplete, if residual effects persist.

For timely prevention of infectious diseases, registration of their occurrence is being conducted. In our country, all infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, are subject to mandatory registration, typhoid fever, paratyphoid A, salmonellosis, brucellosis, dysentery, viral hepatitis, scarlet fever, diphtheria, whooping cough, influenza, measles, chickenpox, typhus, malaria, encephalitis, tularemia, rabies, anthrax, cholera, HIV infection, etc.

Prevention of infectious diseases

Prevention implies the implementation of preventive measures aimed at increasing the immunity of the human body in order to maintain or develop its immunity to infectious diseases.

Immunity is the body's immunity to infectious and non-infectious agents.

Such agents can be bacteria, viruses, some toxic substances vegetable and animal origin and other products foreign to the body.

Immunity is provided by a complex of protective reactions of the body, due to which the constancy of the internal environment of the body is maintained.

There are two main types of immunity: congenital and acquired.

Congenital immunity is inherited like other genetic traits. (For example, there are people who are immune to rinderpest.)

Acquired immunity occurs as a result of a previous infectious disease or after vaccination 1.

Acquired immunity is not inherited. It is produced only for a specific microorganism that has entered the body or introduced into it. Distinguish between actively and passively acquired immunity.

Actively acquired immunity arises as a result of a previous illness or after vaccination. It is established 1-2 weeks after the onset of the disease and persists for a relatively long time - for years or tens of years. So, after measles, lifelong immunity remains. With other infections, for example with flu, the actively acquired immunity remains relatively short-lived - within 1-2 years.

Passively acquired immunity can be created artificially - by introducing antibodies 2 (immunoglobulins) into the body, obtained from people who have had an infectious disease or vaccinated people or animals. Passively acquired immunity is established quickly (a few hours after the administration of immunoglobulin) and persists for a short time - within 3-4 weeks.

General concepts of the immune system

The immune system- This is a set of organs, tissues and cells that ensure the development of the immune response and protection of the body from agents that have foreign properties and violate the constancy of the composition and properties of the internal environment of the body.

The central organs of the immune system include the bone marrow and thymus, to the peripheral - the spleen, lymph nodes and other accumulations of lymphoid tissue.

The immune system mobilizes the body to fight a pathogenic microbe, or virus. In the human body, the pathogen microbe multiplies and releases poisons - toxins. When the concentration of toxins reaches a critical value, the body's reaction is manifested. It is expressed in the dysfunction of some organs and in the mobilization of protection. The disease most often manifests itself in an increase in temperature, in an increase in heart rate and in general deterioration well-being.

The immune system mobilizes a specific weapon against infectious agents - leukocytes, which produce active chemical complexes - antibodies.

An emergency situation developed in connection with an epidemic of hemorrhagic fever in Ufa (1997). Every day 50-100 patients infected with this disease were admitted to hospitals in Ufa. Total number cases exceeded 10 thousand people

1 Vaccination is a method of creating active immunity against infectious diseases by introducing into the human body special preparations from weakened live or killed microorganisms - vaccines.

2 Antibodies - immunoglobulins synthesized in the body in response to antigen exposure, neutralize the activity of toxins, viruses, bacteria.

conclusions

1. Infectious diseases - pathological condition the human body caused by pathogenic microbes.
2. The causes of infectious diseases are not only viruses, but also numerous and diverse microorganisms.
3. A person has an immune system that mobilizes the body to fight the pathogenic agent and its toxins.
4. Most infectious diseases are characterized by periodicity of development.
5. People who lead a healthy lifestyle are less susceptible to infectious diseases and more successfully tolerate them.

Questions and Answers

1. What infectious diseases occur most frequently on the territory of the Russian Federation?
2. What is Immunity? What are its main types. Briefly describe each of the types.
3. What activities are carried out to prevent infectious diseases? Please use the "Additional Materials" section for your answer.
4. What diseases are you immune to?
5. What type of immunity is not inherited?

Immunity protects us from disease. People with strong immunity get sick less often, and those who have it weak get sick more often.

The fact is that the body's immune system performs wide range functions. It protects our body not only from viruses and bacteria that provoke colds, flu, sore throats and other diseases. respiratory tract... Among other things, our immunity is able to protect the body from transplanted organs, for example. This is why people who have received organ transplants need long time take immunosuppressants. Such drugs suppress that part of the immune system, which is responsible for the attack on "foreign" tissue. In addition, immunity can protect the body from itself by perceiving own fabrics as alien and damaging them. In this case, the person develops autoimmune diseases. The most known disease of this group is rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, and possibly psoriasis.
As for the frequency of emerging diseases in humans, this figure depends on many factors, each is individual. On average, it is believed that a person gets sick up to 5-6 times a year - if he is a stay-at-home, and up to 10 times a year - if he is active social life... Children get sick even more often, because they forget or simply do not know about the observance of basic hygiene rules.

Immunity is something incomprehensible and indescribable.

In fact, the immune system has central organs - the bone marrow and the thymus (thymus gland). In the bone marrow, cells are produced that later become the defenders of our body - these are B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes. B-lymphocytes remain in the bone marrow and it is in it that they learn the functions that they will then manifest, protecting us from diseases. T-lymphocytes from the bone marrow are sent through the circulatory system to the thymus gland (thymus), in which they learn to distinguish and kill cells that are foreign to the body. The lymph nodes, spleen - peripheral organs of immunity. In addition, immunity cells (lymphoid formations) are found in all mucous membranes of our body: in the mouth, nose, stomach, on the membrane of the eyes, in the vagina, bladder, intestines, etc. That is why, for example, gynecologists do not recommend that women douche unnecessarily. Thus, the natural microflora of the vagina is disrupted and the infection gets inside faster.

Immunity can be trained. To do this, you need to take a tincture of echinacea, there are lemons, oranges and always onions with garlic.

Firstly, most of the body's immunity is the so-called innate immunity. Innate immunity is the body's ability to perceive and respond to the introduction of various viruses and microbes into it. The rest is acquired immunity. Acquired immunity is strongly influenced by breastfeeding, which contains antibodies that help protect children from common childhood illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia, which are the two leading causes of death in children worldwide. In addition, immunity is developed every time a person is sick with any disease. Many people wonder why we then so often get the common cold? Because at the present time there are more than 200 viruses that cause colds. A lifetime is not enough to get sick with all of them.
Another important component of acquired immunity is vaccination. The fact is that the vaccines themselves do not protect a person from disease, they only contribute to the development of immunity against viruses or bacteria that cause a certain disease.

As for vitamin C, which is found in citrus fruits and which all those who just get sick love to drink so much, it is certainly a powerful antioxidant. However, this vitamin can help the immune system to cope with colds only if we take it in a huge dose, which can be fatal. Vitamin C is an acid that can cause stomach ulcers or renal failure that will kill the person as a result. As for everyone loved folk remedies, the effectiveness of none of them has not been scientifically proven to date. Three whales that make the body stronger and stronger are: sleep, proper nutrition and physical activity.

If the immunity is poor, you should consult an immunologist. He will make an immunogram and help strengthen him.

Immunogram or study immune status appoint only when this analysis can confirm or deny the doctor's alleged diagnosis. Otherwise better analysis not to do. Because some changes in the metrics can be even more misleading and pose new problems. There are the so-called "12 commandments of a clinical immunologist" - they recommend that specialists pay special attention to the patient or send him for a consultation with an immunologist. For adults, this is six suffered during the year, and for children more than eight catarrhal otitis media or more than two bacterial infections in the form of pneumonia, purulent otitis media, sore throat. An alarming symptom is also recurrent skin processes in the form of streptoderma, furunculosis, abscesses, fungal diseases in adults and children over a year old, for example, thrush in the mouth or fungal tonsillitis. All these diseases are associated with impaired immunity and require specialist advice. It is important to understand that an immunologist helps other medical specialists treat their patients more effectively. That's all. We add that often sick people who have swollen lymph nodes, unexplained weight loss, fever, diarrhea and cough for more than a month in a row need to be tested for HIV infection.

Immunity weakens in autumn and spring, this is due to vitamin deficiency.

Let's start with the fact that vitamin deficiency is a serious health condition caused by a deep and long-term deficiency of a particular vitamin in the body. Today, true vitamin deficiency is rare. Most often we are talking about hypovitaminosis or polyhypovitaminosis. To know exactly which vitamins are missing, it is necessary to pass an expensive test to determine the level of vitamins in the blood. Vitamins affect the level of immunity, but they do not form it. Therefore, taking vitamins "in order to raise immunity" is a pointless exercise.

As for the fact that people get sick more often in the cold season, this is due to two reasons: 1. People spend more time indoors, which means they are more exposed to viruses and microbes that are spread by airborne droplets. 2. When freezing, local immunity weakens. Local immunity means resistance to infection a separate body such as skin or intestines.

When writing the article, materials from the sites were used:

http://hbr-russia.ru/
http://www.zdorovieinfo.ru/
http://www.aif.ru/
http://medportal.ru/

Even in childhood, Russians are vaccinated against many diseases - for example, against measles, smallpox, scarlet fever. Other diseases, such as mumps or chickenpox, most of us have time to get sick before reaching maturity. But there are infections, to which the Russian person does not have immunity. These are mainly the so-called tropical diseases.

Malaria

Found in tropical countries. Infection occurs as a result of a mosquito bite, the saliva of which contains malaria plasmodium... The insidiousness of the disease is that the incubation period can last from a week to a month, and in some cases the disease generally manifests itself only after a few years. Symptoms - elevated temperature chills, weakness, headache... The tropical variety of malaria is especially dangerous - without necessary treatment it can lead to lethal outcome... To protect yourself from malaria, first of all, when in the tropics, avoid mosquito bites... Cover windows and doorways with special mosquito nets, use fumigators indoors, go outside, use repellents. A week before leaving for a tropical area, it will not hurt to start taking special antimalarial drugs. You need to drink them during the entire stay there and for another month after returning.

Yellow fever

Found in Africa and the jungle South America... The causative agent is the Flavivirus virus, which is carried by special tropical mosquitoes. After the bite, the virus enters the lymph nodes, and after 3-6 days it is released into the bloodstream. The onset of the disease is characterized by fever, headache, and the appearance of a reddish rash on the body. Fever is fatal in 50% of cases. To protect yourself from yellow fever, it is advisable to get a special vaccination 10 days before leaving for the tropics. After that, you will acquire immunity from the disease for 10 years.

African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)

This ailment is found in African countries. Its causative agent, trypanosome, enters the human body with the bite of the tsetse fly. It penetrates into circulatory system, causing flu-like symptoms, and then into the brain, which leads to serious mental disorders. As a result, the patient falls into a coma and dies. The disease can develop for a long time - from six months to several years. To avoid falling prey to "sleeping sickness", first of all avoid tsetse fly bites. When in Africa, use standard insect repellent. If you are bitten by a tsetse fly, see your doctor right away.

Cholera

Nowadays, cholera is found mainly in third world countries. Vibrio cholerae causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, which leads to rapid dehydration. Convulsions occur, temperature and pressure drop, the patient may fall into a coma. If you do not start treating him with antibiotics in time, death occurs in a few days. To avoid cholera, be sure to wash your hands after using the restroom, before eating or cooking, and drink only boiled water. It is advisable to pour over vegetables and fruits with boiling water after washing. Buy only proven products, swim only in approved places.

Plague

Plague is extremely rare, but it does occur. The carriers of the plague bacillus are fleas, which, in turn, are carried by various animals, for example, camels, hares and rodents. If such a flea bites a person, the causative agent of the disease enters the body. Its signs are a sharp increase in body temperature, as well as an increase in lymph nodes. It is possible to get infected from another patient, while the plague affects the lungs. It is possible to cure the patient if the procedures are started in the very first hours after the onset of the disease. If you are planning to travel to an area prone to plague infections, it is best to get vaccinated beforehand. Try to stay in decent hotels, not to come into contact with animals that may be carriers of the plague.

Human immunity is a state of immunity to various infectious and generally foreign to genetic code human organisms and substances. The body's immunity is determined by the state of its immune system, which is represented by organs and cells.

Organs and cells of the immune system

Let us dwell here briefly, since this is purely medical information unnecessary common man.

Red bone marrow, spleen and thymus (or thymus gland) - central organs of the immune system .
Lymph nodes and lymphoid tissue in other organs (eg, tonsils, appendix) are peripheral organs of the immune system .

Remember: The tonsils and appendix are NOT unnecessary organs, but very important organs in the human body.

The main task of the organs of the human immune system is the production of various cells.

What are the cells of the immune system?

1) T-lymphocytes... They are divided into various cells - T-killers (kill microorganisms), T-helpers (help to recognize and kill microbes) and other types.

2) B-lymphocytes... Their main task is the production of antibodies. These are substances that bind to proteins of microorganisms (antigens, that is, foreign genes), inactivate them and are removed from the human body, thereby "killing" the infection inside the person.

3) Neutrophils... These cells devour a foreign cell, destroy it, while also being destroyed. As a result, a purulent discharge appears. A typical example of the work of neutrophils is an inflamed wound on the skin with purulent discharge.

4) Macrophages... These cells also devour microbes, but do not destroy themselves, but destroy them in themselves, or pass them on to T-helpers for recognition.

There are several more cells that perform highly specialized functions. But they are of interest to specialists-scientists, and for an ordinary person the types indicated above are enough.

Types of immunity

1) And now that we have learned what the immune system is, that it consists of central and peripheral organs, of various cells, now we learn about the types of immunity:

• cellular immunity
• humoral immunity.

This gradation is very important for any doctor to understand. Since many medications act either on one or the other type of immunity.

Cellular is represented by cells: T-killers, T-helpers, macrophages, neutrophils, etc.

Humoral immunity is represented by antibodies and their source - B-lymphocytes.

2) The second classification of species - according to the degree of specificity:

Nonspecific (or congenital) - for example, the work of neutrophils in any reaction of inflammation with the formation of purulent discharge,

Specific (acquired) - for example, the production of antibodies to the human papillomavirus, or to the influenza virus.

3) The third classification is the types of immunity associated with medical activities human:

Natural - resulting from a person's illness, for example, immunity after chickenpox,

Artificial - that appeared as a result of vaccinations, that is, the introduction of a weakened microorganism into the human body, in response to this, immunity is developed in the body.

An example of how immunity works

Now let's consider practical example how immunity is developed to the human papillomavirus type 3, which causes the appearance of juvenile warts.

The virus penetrates into the microtrauma of the skin (scratch, abrasion), gradually penetrates further into the deep layers of the surface layer of the skin. The human body did not have it before, so the human immune system does not yet know how to react to it. The virus is embedded in the genetic apparatus of skin cells, and they begin to grow abnormally, taking on ugly forms.

Thus, a wart is formed on the skin. But this process does not pass by the immune system. The first step is to turn on the T-helpers. They begin to recognize the virus, remove information from it, but they cannot destroy it themselves, since its size is very small, and the T-killer can only kill larger objects such as microbes.

T-lymphocytes transmit information to B-lymphocytes and they begin to produce antibodies that penetrate through the blood into skin cells, bind to virus particles and thus immobilize them, and then this entire complex (antigen-antibody) is excreted from the body.

In addition, T-lymphocytes transmit information about infected cells to macrophages. Those are activated and begin to gradually devour the altered skin cells, destroying them. And in place of the destroyed ones, healthy skin cells gradually grow.

The whole process can take from several weeks to months or even years. It all depends on the activity of both cellular and humoral immunity, on the activity of all its links. After all, if, for example, at least one link - B-lymphocytes - falls out at some point in time, then the whole chain collapses and the virus multiplies unhindered, invading all new cells, contributing to the appearance of more and more warts on the skin.

In fact, the above example is just a very weak and very accessible explanation of the work of the human immune system. There are hundreds of factors that can turn on one mechanism or another, speed up or slow down the immune response.

For example, immune response the body for the penetration of the influenza virus occurs much faster. And all because it tries to invade the cells of the brain, which is much more dangerous for the body than the action of the papillomavirus.

And one more vivid example of the work of immunity - watch the video.

Good and weak immunity

The topic of immunity began to develop in the last 50 years, when many cells and mechanisms of the entire system were discovered. But, by the way, not all of its mechanisms are still open.

So, for example, science does not yet know how certain autoimmune processes in the body are triggered. This is when the human immune system, for no reason, begins to perceive own cells as alien and begins to fight them. It's like in 1937 - the NKVD began to fight against its own citizens and killed hundreds of thousands of people.

In general, you need to know that good immunity Is a state complete immunity to various foreign agents. Outwardly, this is manifested by the absence of infectious diseases, human health. Internally, this is manifested by the full working capacity of all links of the cellular and humoral links.

Weak immunity Is a state of susceptibility to infectious diseases... It is manifested by a weak reaction of one or another link, the loss of individual links, the inoperability of certain cells. There can be quite a few reasons for its decline. Therefore, it is necessary to treat it, eliminating all possible reasons... But let's talk about this in another article.

Today, only the lazy does not know about the need to support immunity. In the spring, it really fades away - there are few vitamins, viruses - the sea. Meanwhile, on March 1, the world celebrates the International Day of Immunity.

How to strengthen it and should it be done at all? Do vaccinations plant immunity? Under what circumstances are the body's defenses significantly weakened? Do folk remedies help?

These and many other questions were answered in an interview with MK by the children's allergist-immunologist Ekaterina KOROTEEVA.

- Ekaterina Nikolaevna, what is immunity, how does it work and what does it consist of?

- Human immunity is a way of protecting the body from alien living organisms and substances, ensuring our survival as a species in conditions of constant aggressive influence of the external and internal environment. This is a scientific definition, and if we speak popularly, it is the body's ability to recognize foreign and self-defense from everything foreign: viruses and microbes, protozoa and microscopic fungi, from defective, aging and tumor cells formed in the body. This protection is provided by the immune system, which consists of central and peripheral organs - they never rest, like the heart. Every second, the immune system restrains the attacks of bacteria and viruses, of which there are more than a million in one cubic centimeter of air! The organs of immune supervision are the bone marrow, thymus, as well as its assistants: the spleen, lymph nodes, lymphoid tissue of the mucous membranes and skin. Main cage of the immune system, a lymphocyte forms, matures and specializes in these organs. Each cell of a person has a label - "passport", which determines its belonging to the owner. Anything that does not have such a passport must be destroyed by the immune system. When it becomes necessary to protect the body, for example, when an infection enters, the factors of innate (natural) immunity first of all come into battle. These are mechanical barriers and physiological factors - intact skin, saliva, tears, phlegm and others liquid media that promote the elimination of microbes. Important for natural immune defenses correct work sebaceous glands, the presence of the enzyme lysozyme and normal rate pH of urine, gastric juice and other body fluids. The main cells in innate immunity are macrophages. They provide very important process- phagocytosis, involving the absorption of everything alien, its destruction and excretion from the body. The quality of innate immunity is influenced by the ability of cells to produce a special protective antiviral protein - interferon.

The second level of immunity is specific immunity. This is a more complex and subtle process of immune defense. It is carried out by B and T lymphocytes, which neutralize foreign particles at a distance by producing immunoglobulin molecules, which are called antibodies and can persist throughout life, making a person resistant to certain infections, for example, to chickenpox, rubella.

- Does immunity depend on age?

- Immunity, like any other system, undergoes age changes... Starting to form even before the baby is born, the immune system reaches its peak of development by the age of 16. In the process of formation, immunity goes through five critical periods. After the birth of a child, the first critical period is the first 30 days. At this time, the body meets with a massive impact of various kinds of stimuli.

The second critical period is 3-6 months. During this period, there is a sharp decrease in the level of maternal immunoglobulins. Which leads to the risk of developing respiratory infections in the baby. During this period, the primary defects of the immune system appear.

The third critical period is the 2nd year of life. The local immunity system is still immature, which is manifested by increased sensitivity to bacterial and viral infections.

- Children often get sick in the garden, it is known. What to do about it?

- If a child went to the kindergarten, at first he will suffer from respiratory infections more often than a “home” child - this is a given. Any children's team is a source of viruses and bacteria. Each child is a carrier of his own, specific microbes, which he received in his family and to which he has developed immunity. The period of adaptation to kindergarten can last more than 6-8 months - this is the norm. Until the baby gets acquainted with fifty of the most common viruses, parents will have to be patient. According to statistics, by the age of 3, only 10% of children attending preschool institutions remain in the “frequently ill” group. For several years, the child's immunity will develop immunity to almost all the most common viruses.

Methods of 100% protection, of course, do not exist, but, in any case, some preventive measures will benefit the child.

Despite the fact that the benefits of hardening as a method of strengthening immunity have long been known, I do not recommend using this method in the classic version for preschoolers. There is a risk of harming the child more than helping. Much more effective, in my experience, are methods of gentle hardening: a slightly warm shower in the warm season in the morning; dress the child for the weather, so that he does not overheat during a walk and indoors; maintain the temperature in the room where the child lives no more than 22-23 degrees; air it regularly.

Another method of prevention is to teach the child to the rules of personal hygiene. Many viruses and bacteria are very stable in the external environment: they settle on doorknobs, railings, toys. I recommend washing your hands often - more than 10 times a day, after visiting the garden, wash your face, rinse your nose with saline, and blow your nose.

If your child was often sick before going to kindergarten, then it makes sense to get him vaccinated against influenza, hemophilic and pneumococcal infections. These vaccines will protect the child not only from a serious infection, but also from complications during a long course of ARVI.

- What about folk ways to strengthen immunity?

- "Grandma's" methods for strengthening immunity - this is what refers to rituals, habits of formation healthy way life. I am in favor of regular balanced diet from possible inclusion in the diet of herbal teas (chamomile, thyme, St. John's wort), broth of wild rose, cranberry, sea buckthorn juice. I am against the use of propolis and honey, black and red caviar in children - as a method of immunostimulation, due to the highly allergenic properties of these food components. Echinacea extract is of limited use in children due to its ability to stimulate an allergic immune response. I support folk ways hardening with the help of ice cream, resorption of ice cubes of frozen juice or decoction of herbs.

If the child does get sick, do not try to cure him in 3 days, remember that a cough, runny nose, fever - defensive reactions organism. Viral infection in the body develops according to certain laws and it is impossible to defeat it in less than 7 days. Moreover, as the temperature rises, more active production of interferon protein begins, which helps to cope with infection.

Increasingly, doctors are faced with the problem of uncontrolled self-administration of antibiotics, which ultimately leads to the development of resistance (insensitivity) of many microbes to drugs, as well as to dysbiosis, impaired local immunity and an imbalance in the general immune defense.

Despite the peculiarities of the functioning of the immune system in childhood, she is in enough ensures the adequacy of reactions to external and internal stimuli, prevents the development of life-threatening infectious and other diseases, together with nervous and endocrine systems ensures the harmonious development of the body.

- What does the immunity of an adult depend on?

- The strength and durability of immunity directly depends on the person's lifestyle. Therefore, there is no need to burden the immune system with additional and unnecessary tasks, such as hypothermia, overwork, lack of sleep, malnutrition, alcohol abuse, low physical activity... Significantly saves resources of the immune system timely treatment chronic diseases, be it gastritis or, for example, bronchitis.

In people with severe allergic reactions, we call them atopic, immunity is not stronger than that of non-allergy sufferers. Moreover, in a patient with a chronic allergic process, immunity is more often reduced, antiviral protection suffers more. However, there are studies abroad that confirm the fact of a lower incidence of cancer among atopics.

- After what diseases is lifelong immunity developed?

- After a row viral diseases such as smallpox, measles and yellow fever. These diseases are classified as generalized infections. At the same time, most adults suffer from influenza and SARS many times. In fact, lifelong immunity is developed against the flu. But, unfortunately, it is type-specific, that is, it depends on the type of influenza virus. More than 2000 of these types are known.

If respiratory viral infections occur more than 10 times a year or less often, but with complications, then this is a reason to contact an immunologist for help to find out the cause and selection medicinal product improving protective functions organism.

It is very important to remember that patients with allergies, tuberculosis, autoimmune diseases(systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatism, autoimmune thyroiditis) You cannot use immunotropic drugs on your own, without consulting a doctor! Unreasonable use of immunotropic therapy, especially in pediatric practice, is fraught with consequences. One of the most unpleasant is debut stimulation. allergic disease... Immunomodulators should be prescribed only by an allergist-immunologist!

- What are the reasons for the weakening of immunity?

- The reasons for the weakening of immunity in modern man many, and all these factors act negatively in the complex. After all, the immune system works in close connection with the nervous and endocrine systems. It's no secret that immune defense a person is weakened by acute and chronic infections; uncontrolled (untreated) chronic diseases; unbalanced nutrition (a deficiency of vitamins and protein leads to a violation of the synthesis of immunoglobulins); uncontrolled use of drugs, antibiotics; Availability bad habits(alcohol abuse, smoking); stress, sleep disturbance, insufficient physical activity, lack of insolation.

- Do vaccinations undermine immunity?

- I cannot give a clear and unambiguous answer to this question. The question is complex, debatable, poorly studied.

- Does the child's immunity depend on the mother's immunity?

- Previously, it was believed that the immunity of the child by and large has nothing to do with the immunity of the mother (unless, of course, she suffers from immunodeficiency). However, studies have shown that secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) is the predominant immunoglobulin in the external secretions that wash the surfaces of the mucous membranes of the digestive, respiratory, and urogenital tracts. Most high concentration SIgA is found in colostrum. Secretory antibodies of the IgA class - the main factor of local immunity digestive tract against a variety of entero pathogenic bacteria, viruses and toxins. The secret of the mammary gland of women also contains antibodies to various antigens: enterobacteria, streptococci and staphylococci, as well as enteroviruses, rotaviruses, influenza virus and other microorganisms, that is, the child is on breastfeeding receives temporary protection from the mother (up to 3-6 months) in the form of immunoglobulins A, M, G. Antibodies of milk and colostrum combine with the mucin layer covering the baby's intestinal epithelium, and thereby protect it from foreign antigens. From the level of the barrier function of the mucosa gastrointestinal tract the risk of food allergic reactions is largely dependent.

From the mother to the child, antibodies are transmitted to all infections that the mother has had in her life, but this happens during pregnancy. And of course, the presence of these antibodies in a child does not give a 100% guarantee that there will be no infection. However, these antibodies do not last long; they disappear within the first 6-12 months.

Over the past decades, oncoimmunology has been actively developing in our country and abroad. The interaction of tumor and immune cells- the subject of close attention of immunologists different countries... Looking for ways early diagnosis cancer by introducing methods based on molecular diagnostics. And also immune methods of cancer treatment - how to teach the immune system to recognize a deceiving cancer cell and destroy it in a timely manner?

- Are there any ways to solve the problem of antibiotic resistance?

- This problem is acute throughout the world. In many countries, for example, in America and Australia, resistance to antibiotics of the macrolide series reaches 60%, in our country some authors call the figure 40%. One of the ways to solve it is to create not new antibiotics, but modern bacteriophages (viruses for pathogenic bacteria). In the West, studies are being carried out to study the possibility of creating new drugs based on bacteriophages. For example, professor-microbiologist Vincent Fischetti from Rockefeller University in New York is working on the use of bacteriophage enzymes that destroy cell walls pathogenic microorganisms.

It should be noted that abroad all drugs acting on the immune system are strictly prescription drugs. Unfortunately, the "fashion" for drugs that improve immunity exists only in our country. And in this sense, we are the leaders in the production of immunomodulators and interferon inducers.