What it means
The body's defense when it meets something it treats as foreign, such as bacteria, viruses, a transplanted organ or an allergen. The innate response acts fast and the same way every time: inflammation, fever and white blood cells that eat germs. The adaptive response is slower but targeted: lymphocyteLIM-foh-syteA type of white blood cell that targets specific germs and abnormal cells, including T cells, B cells and natural killer cells.Full entry make immunoglobulinim-yuh-noh-GLOB-yuh-linAn antibody: a protein made by B cells that recognizes and helps destroy a specific germ or foreign substance.Full entry and remember the germ, so a second meeting brings a faster defense. Vaccines work by training this response.
For the nurse
Older adults, newborns and clients on steroids or chemotherapy have a weaker response and may not show fever or other usual signs of infection.
At a glance
| Spanish | respuesta inmunitaria |
|---|---|
| Also written | immune responses |
Related terms
vaccine
A product that trains the immune system to protect the body against a specific disease.
inflammation
The body's protective response to injury or infection, with redness, heat, swelling, pain and sometimes loss of function.
immune system
The body's defense system of cells, tissues and organs that fights germs and other foreign substances.
lymphocyte
A type of white blood cell that targets specific germs and abnormal cells, including T cells, B cells and natural killer cells.
immunoglobulin
An antibody: a protein made by B cells that recognizes and helps destroy a specific germ or foreign substance.