Immunity Flashcards
Define vaccination
A vaccine is a solution containing a dead, weakened or attenuated form the of the pathogen or antigen (or mRNA instructions to make an antigen).
State what passive immunity means
Short term immunity, recieving antibodies from another source. No B memory cells are made.
Describe what active immunity means
Producing own antibodies by the humoral immune response. This leads to B and T memory cells that remain and cause longer term immunity.
Define a pandemic
A significant rise in the level of incidence of a disease globally
Define an epidemic
A significant rise in the level of incidence of a disease in a population
Define endemic
The normal level of incidence of a disease in a population.
State the 8 strategies used to control the spread of a pathogen.
Identify pathogen
Identify method of transmission
Block modes of transmission
Quarantine
Protect health workers.
Treat with appropriate medicine (e.g. antibiotics or antivirals)
Design a specific medicine
Create a vaccine
*Be careful of context of the question.
Define zoonosis
An infectious disease that is caused by a pathogen that has transferred from an animal to a human.
State 2 reasons why diseases can re-emerge
Global travel
Insufficient vaccination
Evolution and mutation of the pathogen (antigenic drift or shift)
An example of artifical active immunity is a …
vaccination
An example of natural active immunity is..
infection of a pathogen causing the creation of your own antibodies and B memory cells
An example of natural passive immunity is ..
transfer of antibodies in breastmilk or across the placenta
An example of artificial passive immunity is ..
an antivenom or injection of antibodies. Including monoclonal antibodies
An auto immune diseases is caused by …
when auto antibodies recognise self cells as foreign and attack them.
Define an allergy..
inappropriate or exaggerated reaction of the immune system to an unimportant stimulus that leads to excessive inflammation.
involves the excessive release of histamine by mast cells causing exaggerated inflammation and mucus production.