Mod 3 Flashcards
What is immunization?
It is the process where resistance to infectious diseases are induced
What is immunity?
Resistance to a specific disease
What is an antigen?
Stimulus that the host reacts to and produces antibodies against
What are antibodies?
Proteins that alert the body of a foreign entity
What’s another term for antibodies?
Immunoglobulins
What gets produced when the cellular immune system (T cells) gets activated?
It produces lymphokines and memory cells
What gets produced when the humoral immune system (B cells) gets activated?
Production of specific antibodies IgM then IgG and memory cells
What is IgM? (Immunoglobulin M)
A gamma globulin protein that is the largest and first antibody produced in the immune response
What is IgG? (Immunoglobulin G)
Produced after IgM
What are the differences between IgM and IgG?
IgM stays in the bloodstream, IgG is found in the blood and humoral (fluid) immunity of the host
IgM = recent/current exposure to an antigen IgG = past exposure
IgM = short lasting IgG = long lasting
What are the steps to antibody production?
- Antigens coming into contact with lymphocytes, B cells, and T cells
- B cells binds to specific receptors on the antigen
- B cells proliferate into a clone (group of B cells)
- Cells divide into plasma cells and memory cells
What are memory cells?
Cells that aren’t currently producing antibodies but can be activated if future exposure to that antigen occurs again
What are plasma cells?
Cells that produces antibodies
What are the four factors that affect responses to immunization?
- Individual differences
- Site of injection
- Immunization product
- Product failure
What are the two types of immunity?
Innate immunity and acquired immunity
What is innate immunity?
Immunity that is different depending on each species
What is acquired immunity?
Immunity that is obtained during life; it can be developed naturally or artificially and passively or actively
What is naturally-acquired immunity?
Result of a natural process (maternal transfer of antibodies from mother to fetus by placenta or breast milk)
What is artificially-acquired immunity?
When antigens are exposed on purpose
What is active immunity?
When an individual is exposed to antigens that trigger their body to produce their own antibodies
During active immunity, how long down it take to establish protection?
Days-weeks
What type of immunity is used for prevention and is therefore, long-lasting?
active immunity
What are some agents that induce active immunity?
Vaccines and toxoids
What are vaccines?
Suspension of virus/bacteria that is no longer pathogenic but are still antigenic which can still stimulate antibody production
What are toxoids?
Bacterial exotoxin extract that is treated so it’s not toxic but still has antigenic properties
What diseases were toxoids used to develop immunization against?
Diphtheria and tetanus
What is passive immunity?
When the individual acquires performed antibodies
What are performed antibodies?
Antibodies that are made in another person or animal
What type of immunity is used for treatment and is therefore, short term!
Passive immunity
How long does passive immunity last?
About 3 months
What are some examples of passive immunization?
Gamma globulin, hep a immune globulin, tetanus antitoxin, rabies immune globulin and anti-snake venom
What are booster shots for?
It is to maintain the number of memory cells to keep them at protective levels
Why is rubella immunization important?
It is to prevent fetal infections and possible birth defects and to eliminate the reservoir of the virus
What are the side effects infants can get if their mothers are infected with rubella?
Spontaneous abortions, deafness, cataracts, mental retardation, and heart defects
When are fetuses most susceptible to damage?
If the mother is infected during the first months of pregnancy
When does the danger of fetal damage decline?
After the fourth and fifth month of pregnancy
What is the most infectious bodily fluid?
Blood but at certain stages of the disease, other fluids may also be infectious
What is the recommended schedule for the hep vaccination?
2 doses one month apart and third dose six months after the first
What factors contribute to poor antibody responses?
- frozen vaccine
- injection into fatty tissues
- poor mixing of the vaccine
What is tuberculosis?
A slow growing organism that has long generation tome
What is the incubation period of TB?
Weeks—months
How is TB spread?
- Direct contact - globs of sputum inhaled
2. Droplet nuclei - inhalation
What are some symptoms of TB?
Persistent cough, fever, malaise, bloody sputum and weight loss
What are some reasons someone would test positive for TB?
- active case of TB
- been in contact and infected but immune system was able to control it
- they had an active case in the past
- immunized against TB
