Vaccinations are injections
of antigens into the body. Once the antigens
enter the blood, they circulate along with other
cells, such B and T cells. B and T cells are
white blood cells that help the body defend itself
against foreign invaders. As the antigens invade
the body's tissues, they attract the attention
of macrophages. Macrophages are non-specific
scavengers, which in this case, engulf the antigens.
The
macrophages then signal the T cells that antigens
are invading. The killer-type of T cells respond
by attacking the invading antigen. Finally,
the suppressor T cells stop the attack. After
a vaccination, the body will have a memory of
an encounter with a potentially dangerous invader
for a period of time, and hopefully have a better
ability to fight it off if ever exposed to it
again in greater numbers.
|
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation
HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation
program is the first of
its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability,
verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important
distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial
process. A.D.A.M. is also a
founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles
of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
©Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the
information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
The information provided herein should not be used during any
medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition.
A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any
and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to
other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements
of those other sites.
|
