Vaccines and anti-vaccinators
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[edit] Definition - Vaccines
Vaccines are a process by which antigens are introduced into the body to stimulate the body's production of antibodies. Antibodies then bind to and neutralize the antigen for removal. Antigens are simply any substances "foreign" to the body (not produced by the body). Antigens that replicate (live entities that can make more of themselves using the invaded host body) pose a particular, repeatable threat. These antigens include microbes (like bacteria & viruses) and other parasites. Vaccinations are made to protect the body from microbes and other parasites.
The immune response to vaccination is exactly the same as the immune response to any other type of exposure to antigens (via respiration/breathing, introduction by puncture wound, oral injestion, through the eyes, etc.). An immune response includes the process of making antibodies.
Vaccinations can be introduced orally (by mouth) or by injections (by needles) depending on the type of vaccine. Vaccinations can be weakened or inactivated/dead forms of the microbe that would cause diseases, or they can be just parts of the microbes that will still result in the same immune response to the active or live form of the microbe.
Once the antigen is introduced your body will detect it with a type of white blood cells called B lymphocytes. The cells will replicate in response to the detection (clone an army of B lymphocytes). The newly formed B lymphocytes will then become either plasma cells or memory B cells.
Plasma cells will produce the antibodies to bind to the antigens. It takes 14 days for the antibodies to reach a maximum concentration in the blood.
Memory B cells will live on (remain dormant in the body) after the antigens are removed and will cause a quick response once the antigen is encountered again. Memory B cells are the primary reason for vaccination. They are antigen specific and will prevent infection when that antigen is encountered again.
The reason vaccination saves lives is because they allow the body to build up Memory B cells without harm by an actual live/strong replicating disease causing agent during the first part of the immune response (before there are any memory B cells). An army is made and standing in wait for any invading disease causing microbes, including bacteria and viruses. The army can knock it down before it can make a person sick. Without this army an invading microbe will have a chance to make millions of itself by using the cells and body's resources. A virus will turn a body's cells into virus factories [1], and infected persons will spread them to others. The cells "eaten" by bacteria or used by viruses will no longer be free to do their jobs within the body. This cellular destruction by microbes, and the resulting immune response are what are seen on the outside as an illness. Vaccination prevents illness and the spread of diseases.
[edit] Origins
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[edit] Definition - Anti-vaccinators
[edit] Origins
Anti-vaccination groups date back to the first vaccinations. The anti-vaccine campaigns of Edward Jenner's day included cartoons depicting those given the cowpox vaccination turning into cows.
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[edit] Discussion
[edit] Related Topics
[edit] References
[edit] Comments
For all contributors:
- Try to keep the "Definition" as straight and encyclopaedic in style as possible. Use the "Discussion" section for editorialising
- Use the references section for footnotes to books and other sources
