Download the-immune-system-part-4-teacher-notes

DISORDERS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
- When the immune system malfunctions
- Works against body instead of fights it
Allergies
- unusually high sensitivity to some substance
- Allergen = substance that causes allergic reaction
o Foods, pollen, dust, animals
 Dust ; feces of dust mites
 Cats; saliva dried on their skin flakes
-
Symptoms of allergy: runny nose, watery eyes
Histamine: a chemical in body that is released during injury or allergen exposure
Antihistamines: drugs for allergies that reduce symptoms
Severe allergies may trigger anaphylactic shock
o Swelling, breathing problems, potential death
o Adrenaline injection reduces symptoms (“Epipen”)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- HIV attacks the immune system directly
o Infects helper T cells
- When body infected with other pathogens it cannot activate killer T cells or B
cells
o People with AIDS may die from such simple infections as pneumonia
HIV Transmission
- Exchange of body fluids (semen or blood)
- No know cure
- Many forms of the virus therefore cannot identify antigen  not possible to make
a vaccine
- New form of virus every year
- Average life span of infected person = 4-10 years
- Over 40 million people have it today.
Keeping Immune System Healthy
- Well balanced diet
- Maintain personal hygiene
- Avoiding drugs and tobacco
- Exercise and rest
- Vaccinations
- Not sharing body fluids with others