Innate immunity is super important for fighting off infections. Here are some key ways it works:
Quick Action: Innate immunity kicks in within minutes or hours. It responds to germs right away using physical barriers and special immune cells.
Inflammation: This is the body’s way of limiting how far germs can spread. Inflammation makes blood vessels more open, so immune cells can get to the infection site more quickly.
Eating Germs: Certain cells, like macrophages and neutrophils, munch on germs. This is a key part of stopping infections. About 70% of bacteria are taken care of by macrophages early on when an infection starts.
Cytokine Release: Immune cells release substances called cytokines. These help to adjust the body's longer-term immune response. Higher levels of cytokines can lead to better health outcomes.
Risk Factors: Research shows that people who don’t have a strong innate immune system are 3-5 times more likely to have serious infections.
Understanding how innate immunity works can help us better protect ourselves from illnesses!
Innate immunity is super important for fighting off infections. Here are some key ways it works:
Quick Action: Innate immunity kicks in within minutes or hours. It responds to germs right away using physical barriers and special immune cells.
Inflammation: This is the body’s way of limiting how far germs can spread. Inflammation makes blood vessels more open, so immune cells can get to the infection site more quickly.
Eating Germs: Certain cells, like macrophages and neutrophils, munch on germs. This is a key part of stopping infections. About 70% of bacteria are taken care of by macrophages early on when an infection starts.
Cytokine Release: Immune cells release substances called cytokines. These help to adjust the body's longer-term immune response. Higher levels of cytokines can lead to better health outcomes.
Risk Factors: Research shows that people who don’t have a strong innate immune system are 3-5 times more likely to have serious infections.
Understanding how innate immunity works can help us better protect ourselves from illnesses!