Vaccinations as treatments

Question 1

Define actively acquired natural immunity

Answer 1

· Natural immunity follows an episode of illness caused by a microorganism
· Antigen causes the plasma cells to produce antibodies
· The antibodies bind to the antigen and lead to the destruction of the antigen
· Memory cells remain
· If subsequent infection occurs the disease will not manifest

Question 2

Explain artificially acquired immunity and define vaccine and toxoid

Answer 2

· Artificially acquired active immunity develops after an injection of vaccine or toxoid
· Vaccine consists of either a weakened whole virus or bacteria, fragments of a virus or bacteria or genetically engineered antigens
· Toxoid is chemically altered toxins that still contain important antigenic determinants

Question 3

List the 4 different types of vaccines

Answer 3

1. Whole organism:
   · Bacteria - oral typhoid vaccine
   · Virus - Hep A
2. Toxin produced
   · Tetanus
   · Diphtheria
3. Specific antigens
   · Haemophillis Influenzae vaccine Type B (Hib)

4. Administration of live attenuated organisms
· Mumps, Measles and Rubella(MMR)
· Oral Polio Vaccine(OPV)
· Varicella-zoster
· Yellow Fever

Question 4

List the 5 adverse reactions and side effects of a vaccination

Answer 4

· Rash, malaise,fever
· Encephalitis
· Convulsions (rare)
· Permanent brain damage (rare)
· Allergic reaction