Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance

Immunology & Vaccines

Immunology and vaccines are closely interconnected, as vaccines harness the principles of immunology to protect individuals from infectious diseases. Immunology is the branch of science that focuses on understanding the immune system and its response to foreign substances, including pathogens. It studies how the immune system recognizes and eliminates pathogens, as well as how it develops memory to provide long-lasting protection against future infections. Vaccines, on the other hand, are biological preparations that stimulate the immune system to produce a protective response without causing the actual disease. They contain weakened or inactivated forms of pathogens, specific antigens, or genetic material that code for antigens. When administered, vaccines trigger an immune response, leading to the production of antibodies and activation of immune cells. This immune response enables the immune system to recognize and mount a rapid and effective defense against the actual pathogen if encountered in the future.