Since I have been really ill this week (hence the delay on the blog), I thought a little lesson on our amazing immune system might be in order.
I believe what I had was viral since some of the symptoms dissipated within 24-48 hrs. However, now I am left with this fantastic congestion and stuffy head...blah!!
So what fights off the nasty things we contract?
For things like colds, viruses and bacteria, antigen presenting cells or macrophages, ingest antigens (viruses or other non-self things) and then present parts of the ingested invader on its cell surface. This presentation allows T-cells to become sensitized to the invader and thus help to a) direct the immune system to fight whatever is making you cough like mad, or b) help create memory in the way of B-cells so that you have immunity to this pathogen. B-cells are why you don't get chicken pox the second time. Once you have it, your immune system has been sensitized to the pathogen's particular antigens and thus your B-cells produce antibodies specific for this pathogen. So the next time your immune system "sees" chicken pox again, it recognizes it quickly and kills it off. Brilliant.
Immunity is a VERY complicated system that we take for granted. It is an amazing feat of engineering at the molecular level. There are many levels of immunity in our body. Our epidermis, for example, is one of the most powerful immune barriers. Most pathogens cannot infect something that is dead. Our epidermis is basically a layer of dead tissue. This is our first layer of defense, our dead skin.
This is why burn patients are so very susceptible to infection. Their epidermis has been removed. They are unfortunately a nutrient rich Petri dish for microbes.
Take care of yourself! And your immune system.
It takes care of you and you don't even know it.
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