The immune system. By: Payton
Your immune system is what protects you from viruses and diseases. It is like airport security or the front line of an army. Your immune system is made up of special cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect you.
The lymph system or lymphatic system is a major part of the immune system. It's a network of lymph nodes and vessels. Lymphatic vessels are thin tubes that spread to all the tissues of your body. They carry a clear fluid called lymph. Lymph contains tissue fluid, waste products, and immune system cells. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped clumps of immune system cells that are connected by lymphatic vessels. They contain white blood cells that trap viruses, bacteria, and other invaders, including cancer cells. White blood cells are the cells of the immune system. They are made in one of your lymph organs, the bone marrow. Other lymph organs are the spleen and thymus.
Fun facts:
1. If you want to boost your immune system, reduce the stress you have in your life.
2. Dieting can actually reduce your immune system’s strength.
3. Humor can help your immune system fight off viruses and illness.
2. Dieting can actually reduce your immune system’s strength.
3. Humor can help your immune system fight off viruses and illness.
Disorders:
1. AIDS- HIV, which causes AIDS, is an acquired infection that can destroy important white blood cells. If you have HIV or AIDS, an infection that is normally harmless can make you dangerously ill. These infections are called "opportunistic infections" because they take advantage of a weak immune system.
2. Asthma- This is an overactive response in your lungs that can cause coughing, wheezing, and trouble breathing. Asthma can be triggered by common things like dust or cigarette smoke, a viral infection, or even by exercise.
3. SCID- This is an example of an immune deficiency that children are born with. It puts them in constant danger of infections from viruses and bacteria. This disorder is sometimes called "bubble boy disease" because of the story of a boy in the 1970s that had to live in a sterile plastic bubble. Children with SCID are threatened with constant infection because they are missing important white blood cells.
2. Asthma- This is an overactive response in your lungs that can cause coughing, wheezing, and trouble breathing. Asthma can be triggered by common things like dust or cigarette smoke, a viral infection, or even by exercise.
3. SCID- This is an example of an immune deficiency that children are born with. It puts them in constant danger of infections from viruses and bacteria. This disorder is sometimes called "bubble boy disease" because of the story of a boy in the 1970s that had to live in a sterile plastic bubble. Children with SCID are threatened with constant infection because they are missing important white blood cells.