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What is an infection and how does my body protect against it?
An infection occurs when microbes such as bacteria or viruses enter our body and multiply. There may be symptoms associated with an infection. For example, following a SARS-CoV-2 infection you may experience fever, coughing, or trouble breathing. Your body protects you against infections by launching an immune response to fight invading microbes.
What are the key tools used in an immune response?
The main player in an immune response are white blood cells. There are several types of white blood cells that play an extremely important role in immune response:
- Macrophages
- Neutralize germs and dead or dying cells
- Leave behind parts of the microbes called antigens, which are like name tags which the body uses to recognize foreign invaders.
- The antigens signal the body to create antibodies to attack the invader.
- B-lymphocytes
- Attack particles of the foreign invaders left over by macrophages
- Also secrete antibodies
- T-lymphocytes
- Attack cells in the body that have already been infected
What is a vaccine and why is it helpful?
Vaccines allow our body to develop immunity to microbes without contracting the illness. After getting a vaccine, the body begins to generate T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes. From these, you will be able to generate a supply of memory B and T-cells which will be ready to attack if you are infected with the virus.
This is how the COVID-19 vaccine works- by exposing you to little pieces of synthetic viral protein that are harmless, it stimulates the body to generate an immune response preparing it to fight the real virus in the future.
This is how the COVID-19 vaccine works- by exposing you to little pieces of synthetic viral protein that are harmless, it stimulates the body to generate an immune response preparing it to fight the real virus in the future.
How effective is the COVID-19 vaccine?
Currently, there are vaccines approved by the FDA that can work with either one or two shots.
The vaccine is a valuable tool which can help to halt the pandemic by building immunity in the population against the virus. However, the vaccine is only one of the weapons we have to combat the pandemic: you still need to practice social distancing measures, wear masks, and wash your hands frequently
The vaccine is a valuable tool which can help to halt the pandemic by building immunity in the population against the virus. However, the vaccine is only one of the weapons we have to combat the pandemic: you still need to practice social distancing measures, wear masks, and wash your hands frequently
