What is the Immune System?
The immune system is the capability of the body to protect us from foreign antigens. The vast and complex network of proteins, cells, and organs protects our body from external infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. Our body has three types of immunity: innate, adaptive and passive. Some organs act like shields against germs, preventing germs from entering our bodies. Let us read ahead to learn more about the immune system for kids and how it functions.
Immune System
Like the other systems of our body, such as the respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems, we have an immune system that provides us with immunity. It is a large network of organs like red blood cells, white blood cells, lymphocytes, spleen, bone marrow, thymus, and the lymphatic system that guard against infections and diseases.
The immune system protects us from unwanted germs in our body whenever we become sick. Fever is a slight rise in the body's temperature and is one of the most common symptoms of any disease. The body temperature increases due to the immune action of our immune system. Whenever we get a fever, it means that the immune system is working against the virus.
Organs Involved in the Immune System
Our immune system comprises various fighter cells and is a very important organ of immunity. These are as follows:
Thymus- Thymus is located in our neck and is home to the fighter cells.
Bone Marrow- The bone marrow is the mother of all cells in our blood.
Spleen- The spleen is present just below the stomach on the left side.
Lymph Nodes- The lymph nodes are present throughout the body, mainly on the neck, under arms and abdomen.
Tonsils– They act like a gate for germs to enter our bodies.
Immune System
Types of Cells Producing Immune Response
1. B-cells
2. T-cells
Both cells are formed in bone marrow, but T-cells travel to the thymus and live there. T-cells and B-cells are also known as fighter cells. Many other cells, like neutrophils, monocytes, etc., are collectively called leukocytes or white blood cells (WBCs). WBCs are thus called immune cells.
Types of Immunity
Immunity is of two types, active immunity and passive immunity.
Active Immunity – Active immunity is the type of immunity we gain from exposure to germs over a long period. We can say that we do not acquire this immunity from someone else but generate it ourselves due to exposure to pathogens.
Passive Immunity – Passive immunity has been present in our body since birth. This means that the baby acquires this immunity from the mother.
We mainly rely on active immunity rather than passive immunity. We have acquired this immunity through exposure to germs in the air, the food we eat, touch, etc. This immunity lasts for a long time in the form of memory. B cells and T cells help in memory generation.
Immunisation
Immunisation imparts artificially induced immunity in our bodies. During immunisation, there are types of vaccines that are injected into our bodies which carry pathogens. As these pathogens are inactive or dead microbes, they act as a teacher in our body who teach our immune system to produce antigens in our body to fight particular types of disease. Immunisation starts right from birth. Some vaccines help fight against diseases like flu, rubella, polio, chickenpox, mumps, covid 19, etc.
Vaccines
Solved Questions
1. How are T-cells generated?
T-cells are generated in the bone marrow.
2. What is the first line of defence?
The first line of defence is innate immunity
Summary
The immune system helps to protect our body from various diseases. It fights the disease-causing organism and eliminates them from our bodies. The immune system is very important for the human body because, without immunity, we become ill very frequently. Hence, various organs are involved in the immune system, such as bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, timers etc. Immunity can be boosted with the help of vaccines. Immunity is of two types active immunity and passive immunity.
FAQs on The Immune System in Kids
1. What is the immune system and what does it do for kids?
The immune system is like a personal bodyguard inside your body. Its main job is to protect you from harmful germs, like bacteria and viruses, that can make you sick. It's a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together around the clock to keep you healthy.
2. What are the main parts of the body's immune system?
The immune system has many important parts that act as a team. The main ones include:
- White Blood Cells: These are the soldiers of the immune system that find and destroy germs.
- Lymph Nodes: Small glands that filter harmful substances and store immune cells.
- Spleen: An organ that filters blood, removes old cells, and helps fight certain types of bacteria.
- Bone Marrow: The soft tissue inside bones where new blood cells, including immune cells, are made.
- Skin: Your body's first line of defence, acting as a physical barrier to stop germs from getting in.
3. What is inflammation and why does it happen?
Inflammation is your immune system's immediate response to an injury or infection. When you get a cut, for example, the area might get red, swollen, and warm. This is a positive sign that your immune system is sending extra blood and healing cells to the spot to fight any germs and begin repairing the damage.
4. What are some simple ways and foods that help a child's immunity?
A healthy lifestyle is the best way to support a strong immune system. This includes getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, and washing hands often. A balanced diet is also very important. Foods rich in vitamins and minerals like fruits (oranges, berries), vegetables (spinach, broccoli), nuts, and yogurt can help strengthen the body's natural defences.
5. How do our skin and saliva help protect us from germs?
Our body has clever first-line defences. The skin acts as a tough, waterproof wall that most germs cannot get through. Similarly, saliva in our mouth and tears in our eyes contain special enzymes that can kill bacteria, stopping them before they can cause any trouble. These are excellent examples of our body's natural barriers.
6. What are some common signs that a child might have a weak immune system?
If a child gets sick very often with infections that are difficult to treat, it could be a sign of a weaker immune system. Other common signs might include constant tiredness, slow-healing wounds, or frequent tummy troubles. If you have any concerns, it's always best to talk to a doctor.
7. What is the difference between innate and adaptive immunity?
Think of it as having two types of defence teams. Innate immunity is the general defence system you are born with. It's fast and attacks any invader it sees as a threat. Adaptive immunity is smarter and develops throughout your life. It learns to recognise specific germs and creates a 'memory' of them, so it can fight them off much more effectively the next time you're exposed.
8. How do vaccines work with the immune system to protect us?
Vaccines act like a training exercise for your immune system. They introduce a safe, weakened, or inactive part of a germ to your body. This doesn't make you sick, but it allows your adaptive immune system to learn how to defeat that specific germ and create 'memory' cells. If you ever encounter the real disease, your body already knows the battle plan to win quickly.
9. Why do young children seem to get sick more often than adults?
A child's immune system is still learning and growing. When you're young, your adaptive immunity has not been exposed to as many germs as an adult's has. Each time a child catches a cold or another common illness, their immune system is actually building its library of 'memories'. This process makes their immune system stronger and more experienced over time.
