What is immunity, and how do we make our immunity better?

You must have heard people around you often say that someone’s immunity is low or to eat healthy so that your immunity is better. Has your mind ever gone to who or what even is immunity? 

Well, immunity is the body’s ability to resist, fight off, and protect itself from harmful microorganisms (bacteria, viruses), toxins, or foreign substances. It acts as a defence shield, utilising specialised white blood cells, organs, and proteins to recognise and eliminate pathogens. 

Types of immunity

Immunity is mainly of three types: 

Innate Immunity (Natural): The first line of defence present at birth, providing immediate, non-specific protection via physical barriers like skin, mucus, and stomach acid. 

Adaptive Immunity (Acquired): Develops throughout life, creating a specific, tailored response to infections or vaccinations. It involves T and B cells, and memory cells that recognise pathogens for future, faster protection. 

Passive Immunity (Borrowed): Immediate but short-term protection acquired from outside sources, such as antibodies passed from mother to baby or via vaccination. 

‘Health is Wealth.’
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The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs — including white blood cells, the spleen, and lymph nodes — that defends the body against pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. So, it acts as the body’s defence mechanism, distinguishing harmful invaders from healthy tissue to fight infections and disease. 

What happens when your immune system fails?

Conditions like Autoimmune disease, when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy body cells and Immunodeficiency when the system is weak or underactive arise when the immune system is failing.