Immunity And Blood Flashcards
What things make you susceptible to issues with your immune system?
Born with a weak immune system - primary immune deficiency
Get a disease (or medication) that weakens your immune system - acquired immune deficiency
Have a immune system which is too active - allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
Having an immune system that turns against you - autoimmune disease (Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis)
What is SCID?
Severe Combined Immunodeficiency
A rare genetic disorder, disturbed development of functions T & B cells
Defective antibody response due to either direct involvement with B lymphocytes or through improper B lymphocyte activation due to non-functional T-helper cells
B and T cells of the adaptive immune system are impaired due to a defect in one of several possible genes
Most severe form of primary immune deficiencies
How to know if you have SCID as a baby?
Diagnosed in early infancy
Babies may seem well for the first few weeks of life
First signs occur first 3 - 6 months
Poor weight gain, repeated infections, feeding problems
Suspected due to low lymphocyte count inn the blood
What is the treatment of SCID?
Immunoglobulin replacement therapy
Blood, platelet or plasma transfusions
Most effective - bone marrow transplant
What is temporary acquired immune deficiency and examples?
Weakened due to certain medications - chemotherapy, immunosuppressants
Infections like the flu virus and measles can weaken the immune system for a brief time
Weakened by smoking, alcohol, poor nutrition
What are the stages of HIV?
Stage 1: acute, multiplies and spread throughout the body
Stage 2: chronic, asymptomatic HIV, continues to multiply but at very low levels. Is transmittable here. If medicated, will never go to stage 3
Stage 3: AIDS, usually survive 3 years
What are HIV treatments?
Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
ART involves a combo of HIV medicines
Reduces viral load to undetectable level
Initiated with a combo of NRTIs plus an INI, NNRTI or PI
What are some common autoimmune diseases?
Type 1 diabetes - immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Removes sugar from blood to use as energy.
Rheumatoid arthritis - causes swelling and deformities of the joints
Lupus - this disease attacks body tissues, including lungs, kidneys and skin
What is RA? Symptoms?
Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints - usually affects hands, feet, wrists
May have flare-ups exacerbated by stress
Lining of the joint becomes inflamed
What is treatment for RA?
No cure
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid arthritis (DMARDS) E.g Methotrexate - first line and a short course of corticosteroids to relieve pain
What are some blood disorders?
Anaemia
Haemophilia
Leucocytosis
Polycythaemia Vera
Sickle cell disease
Thalassemia
Von Willebrand disease
What is anaemia?
Occurs when there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry O2 to the body’s organs
Common to feel cold and symptoms of tiredness or weakness
Most common type is iron-deficiency anaemia
What is haemophilia?
Where blood doesn’t clot
Most common in males
Bleeding can happen internally and externally
2 types: type A (classic haemophilia) - most common
Type B (Christmas disease)
What causes haemophilia?
Genes that regulate the production of factors VIII (8) and IX (9) are found on the X chromosomes only
Caused by mutations
What are the 3 steps that occur in heamostasis?
Vasoconstriction (primary)
Platelet plug formation
Clot formation (secondary)
