Immunology

There are several reasons as to why everyone should be up to date with vaccinations. One is that vaccine preventable diseases and illnesses are still around. Another is vaccines will help keep you healthy. The third is they are safe and effective. Those are some reasons to be vaccinated. Now, I will go in depth about my first reason. The viruses and bacteria that cause illness and death still exist. They also can be passed on to those who are not protected by vaccines. Since, people can…

What is the acid mantle and why is it important? The simple answer is that the acid mantle is the thin layer on your skin that protects it against acne causing bacteria and moisture loss. When it’s intact, your skin looks and feels healthy and radiant. Because this thin layer is so important, we thought it’s high time it gets a little shine and be explained in more detail. What is the acid mantle? It is a very fine layer that is found on top of the outermost layer (stratum corneum) on top of…

Herd immunity is a vital component of society. Essentially, herd immunity protects those who cannot receive vaccines, due to illness or other medical conditions. In an article written for the British Medical Journal, science editor Abi Berger emphasizes the importance of herd immunity, “. . . enough parents decide not to have their children vaccinated, more cases will start to appear, and the whole population is at risk.” The more people vaccinated, the stronger the herd becomes. This means that…

Introduced in 1988, the polyvalent MMR vaccine immunises against measles, mumps and rubella. There has been a great deal of controversy with regards to the MMR vaccine, including links to febrile seizures, autism and inflammatory bowel disease. However, the vaccine has proven extremely effective in preventing contagious viral infections. The MMR vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and two doses are required for complete protection of children, and in some circumstances, adults. Through…

It is true, that the use of vaccines in modern immunisation programs has either eradicated or greatly reduced the incidence of certain diseases throughout the world. Vaccination programs work to not only reduce the chance of disease in the most susceptible individuals but also increase the immunity of the population. Such immunity is referred to as herd immunity. Herd immunity depends on a high proportion of individuals being immunised. When there are a large number of immune individuals in a…

The debate about vaccinations is a very emotionally charged one. Often times parents, specifically younger parents believe that diseases have been “killed off” because there has not recently been a case. Older generations are more likely to vaccinate because they have had close experiences with the diseases and the impact on a healthy child (PBS, 2010). After watching the documentary shared with the class. I found it necessary to look into the laws of Minnesota regarding vaccinations. The first…

Echinacea works by stimulating the immune system. Whereby antibiotics destroy both good and harmful bacteria Echinacea enables your body to deal with infections and viruses as they happen. Studies show that Echinacea stimulates phagocytosis, a process where white blood cells travel around the body hunting and attacking harmful micro organisms releasing chemicals and digesting them. White blood cells are a major component of the body's inbuilt quick response immune system. Echinacea increases the…

The immune system in the human body protects people from infections, diseases, and other foreign substances from causing harm to the body with our first line of defense being our skin. Unfortunately, there are people negatively affected by disorders of the immune system either by environmental factors or genetics. There are immunodeficiencies where the body has the inability to defend against attacks. There is also autoimmunity, which is an overreaction of the immune system. A variety of…

20% of people suffer from trypanophobia, the fear of needles (“Needle Phobia Facts”). However, the fear of needles quickly dissipates when one realizes the amount of diseases a person is susceptible to when they do not receive vaccinations. According to the Center for Disease Control, there is no federal law that mandates children to obtain vaccines, but all 50 states require children entering schools to have mandatory vaccines. However, nineteen states allow philosophical exemptions to the…

Rough, raspy coughing, gasping for air, constant crying, discomfort, fatigue, and anxiety; all of this was the case for the Gruber family while their newborn baby suffered from pertussis, also known as whooping cough, coined for the whooping-like sound it causes. This case of pertussis was in fact contracted from the vaccine the newborn received while in the hospital earlier that week. Despite this traumatic experience I view vaccines, not only as positive, but also as a necessity for one’s…