Strengthening immune system

The non-specific defense system relies on the body's natural ability to recognize and destroy foreign invaders. Its first line of defense consists of skin and mucous membranes. They serve as physical barriers by preventing foreign matter from invading the body. When pathogens enter the body through broken tissues a chemical is released which "turns on" the inflammatory response. To combat the threatening invader the body increases the production of white blood cells that can result in a temperature increase. This explains why fever often accompanies an infection.

If a pathogen passes through the body's non-specific defense, the immune system responds with a series of specific defenses that attack the foreign invader. These defenses are known as the immune response consisting of antibodies and special immune cells. T-Cells and B- Cells are critical to the immune system,. T-Cells (T-Lymphocytes) mature in the Thymus Gland and the B-Cells (B-Lymphocytes) mature in the bone marrow. The T-cells provide the first response to a threatening foreign invader. One type of T cell is the T4 helper cell. These induce the B cells to "turn on" and respond to the presence of a threatening foreign invader. The B-cells respond by producing antibodies and by stimulating one type of T cell, which is the natural killer cell (NK). It destroys the invading cells by means of direct contact or by producing a cytotoxin or cell poison. As a control the T8-suppressor cells "switch off" the immune response once the invaders are destroyed and the infection is cleared up. If the pathogen reappears the body has the ability to immediately produce antibodies to deal with the foreign invader.

The Specific defense system circulates in part in the blood and Lymphatic system. The Lymphatic system consists mainly of lymph, lymphatic vessels and structures or organs containing lymphatic tissues. Lymph is a thick colorless fluid. Some of its functions are to carry fat and nutrients and to distribute germ fighting white blood cells. Lymphatic vessels transport the lymph to the different parts of the body. Along the larger lymphatic vessels there are small kidney shaped structures that are the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes filter the blood in order to help prevent bacteria and other pathogens from travelling through the lymphatic system. The lymph nodes are areas of high immunological activity along with the bone marrow, thymus, spleen, liver, tonsils, adenoids, appendix, and peyer's patches in the intestines.