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Know the Difference Between Active & Passive Immunity!

The main difference between active immunity and passive immunity lies in the manner in which you understand it. It totally depends upon your perception. If you have any doubts you can take help from our assignment help online experts who will clear all your doubts regarding this topic with explanation.

What is Active Immunity?

Active immunity actually occurs when the host produces antibodies when it is exposed to the pathogens or bacteria. Briefly described, it refers to the process in which small amounts of antigen are entered in an organism and it is examined how that organism produces antibodies in response to that antigen. After entering the body these antibodies help to activate other immune systems and cells to some pathogens. Once the body learns the process of making antigen even in small amounts, it will help to stop the disease from developing into the body any further.

It is seen that in active immunity, the immune system of the body produces various forms of antibodies that tempt other cells related to immunity to some pathogens. It’s a long lasting way which protects your body from unknown enemies.

As the body understands the whole process of adapting the immune response, it starts countering against the antigen effects.

It is similar to our final examination. Before the final examination we all appear for our test, where we try and try so that during the final exam we may succeed with flying colours. Similarly, small antigens do not harm the body, but when it is in large quantities the body must be prepared to fight against it and protect itself. You can say it is a process which protects our body for a long time.

Let’s get an overview on Passive Immunity

Passive immunity occurs when that host receives the antibody from another source.

For a child his/her mother’s love is the best thing.

You may think, what is the relationship between mother and antibody?

While a mother is breastfeeding her child, a large quantity of antibodies are supplied to the baby’s body which helps them to survive in the world.

Passive immunity is actually given to the children and others whose immune system is very weak. Weak immune system indicates a lot of suffering. In the case of adults, a highly concentrated solution of antibody is injected to the patient’s body after collecting it from a donor.

Passive immunity is of two types: natural and artificial. Natural passive immunity directly transforms into the child from his/her mother through bloodstream and from mother’s breast milk too.

After suffering from chicken pox and measles a patient’s body acquires immunity. Vaccination is the most popular method to protect the body from a disease. These are the examples of artificial passive immunity.

Definition and features of Passive Immunity:      

When the patient is ill, its weak immune system doesn’t let the antibodies perform properly. If you get continuous vaccination it may harm your body to protect it from that particular disease.

Mother’s placenta provides the antibody to a newborn baby. Similarly a blood containing antibody can protect a body.

Which One is Better: Natural or Artificial Passive Immunity?

While the baby remains in the womb, it acquires immunity from the mother’s placenta.  On the other hand, a substance called colostrums which is present in the breast milk is rich in antibodies which is enough to protect the baby. But this process lasts for a very short period i.e. not more than 6 months. 

On the other hand, artificial passive immunity is an obvious and short termed process. In such cases antibodies are first prepared in another person or animal’s body then it is injected to the patient’s body.

Some common artificial passive immunities are:

·       Human HBIG: Hepatitis B immune globulin is provided to patients suffering from hepatitis B. HBIG has a large number of hepatitis B antibodies taken from the donor’s blood.

·       DPT: it is a combination of vaccines which protects the body from three diseases i.e. diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus.

·       RIG: it is a hyper immune globulin prepared from the body of humans who have already suffered against rabies.

·       IVIG: it is an approved process of treatment for multifocal motor neuropathy, chronic lymphocytic etc.

What is Natural Active Immunity?

When a person is directly exposed to a live pathogen, develops the disease in his body and becomes immune as a result of primary immune system then we may call it natural active immunity.

The Process of Active Immunity:

After entering the body the virus/bacteria starts to harm the body by its continual reproduction. The damaged cell then starts giving a signal. Then immune cells start collecting the foreign bodies from everywhere and gather all details of that particular pathogen which helps them to identify the enemy and protect the organism from its future attack.

Solution related to the problems of Biology:

It’s really a difficult task to understand the whole process and work accordingly. If you feel trouble while doing your assignments on the various streams of biology you may take help from the myassignmenthelp experts. They are very skilled and most of them hold PhD and postDoc degrees who’ll surely solve your problem related to your assignment on vaccination or immune system.

Christopher Stern

Christopher Stern is a Washington-based reporter. Chris spent many years covering tech policy as a business reporter for renowned publications. He has extensive experience covering Congress, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Federal Trade Commissions. He is a graduate of Middlebury College. Email:[email protected]

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