Treatment and Immunity
The immune system constantly defends the body against infections through three lines of defense. This is the body's endogenous or internal ability.
What do you think is the number one way to prevent the spread of disease?
What do you think is the number one way to prevent the spread of disease?
First Line of DefenseSkin, Mucus and Cilia. This line of defense creates a barrier or trapping mechanism to prevent pathogens from entering the body.
|
Second Line of DefensePhagocytosis Video_
Phagocytosis: Once pathogens enter the body, your immune system becomes active. Phagocytosis is a process where a foreign invader is engulfed and destroyed by lysosomes. |
Third Line of Defense
White Blood Cells and Immunity
|
Treatment
Antibiotics- Medicines used to kill bacteria (and some parasites) and rid the body against bacterial caused infections. Some common or familiar names are: Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Erythromycin, Tetracycline, Cipro and Z-packs. The type of antibiotic prescribed will depend on the type of infectious agent that is making you ill. Antibiotics need to be taken as directed in order to effectively cure the infection Antivirals- Medicines that are used to lessen or slow the progression of symptoms caused by a virus. It is important to know that there are no "cures" for viruses once symptoms appear. What is a vaccine? How does it work? Antifungals- Also called anti-mycotics, they are usually topical or oral medicines that are used to kill or cure fungal infections. Fungi are most commonly found on the skin, hair and nails. An example of an antifungal is Diflucan which is used to treat yeast infections. AntiParasitic- Broad spectrum medicines used to kill or treat infections caused by parasites. For example, Mebendazole, used to treat toxocariasis, a parasitic infection in the feces of cats and dogs caused by round worms. |