Inmunización: Cómo funcionan las vacunas

If you would like to see more scientifically accurate 3D medical images, please subscribe to our channel:    / nucleushealthvideose   MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: Immunization is the process of becoming immune to or protecting oneself from a disease, usually by receiving a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the immune system to protect it from certain diseases so that it does not become ill or contract an infection. The organs and cells of the immune system typically defend the body against harmful germs, such as bacteria and viruses. Immune cells constantly circulate throughout the body. They monitor for certain substances on the surfaces of cells called antigens. Healthy cells have different antigens than diseased cells or foreign invaders in the body. Immune cells usually ignore the antigens on healthy cells. But when immune cells encounter antigens on germs, they destroy the germ. Next, the immune cell attaches the germ's antigen to its surface. This activates other types of immune cells to help get rid of the infection. For example, some activated immune cells recognize the antigen on infected cells in the body and then destroy them. Other activated immune cells called plasma cells produce molecules called antibodies. These antibodies travel throughout the body and attach only to germs that have their specific antigen. This marks the germ for destruction. Then, other immune cells attack germs that have these antibodies. Once the infection is gone, some of the immune cells that were exposed to the antigen become "memory" immune cells. In the future, if the same type of germ infects your body again, the memory immune cells will be ready to destroy it so you don't get sick. This is called natural immunity. In many cases, it will last a lifetime. The problem with gaining natural immunity from having the disease itself is that some naturally acquired infections can cause serious complications or even death. For example, polio can lead to permanent paralysis or death. Measles can cause inflammation in the brain, leading to permanent brain damage or death, especially in children under five. And pertussis, also known as whooping cough, can cause complications such as pneumonia, respiratory arrest or slow breathing, and death, especially in infants under one year old. Although symptoms may not be severe in everyone, it is impossible to know who will be affected enough to become seriously ill or even die. Vaccines can protect you from getting these diseases and their harmful symptoms. Each vaccine contains a small amount of weakened or killed germs. You usually receive a vaccine as an injection. Inside your body, the germ particles in the vaccine "teach" your immune cells to attack these germs. This process doesn't make you sick, but it does cause your body to produce memory cells and antibodies against those germs. Consequently, if that germ infects your body later in life, your immune system will be ready to fight the infection so you don't get sick. The main types of vaccines include: live attenuated vaccines; inactivated vaccines; toxoid vaccines; and subunit and conjugate vaccines. Live attenuated vaccines use live but weakened germs. They are like a natural infection and provide strong immunity to the disease. Examples include nasal spray vaccines for measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, and influenza. Inactivated vaccines use inactive or killed germs. You may need several booster doses or injections over time. Examples include vaccines for hepatitis A, influenza, polio, and rabies. Toxoid vaccines protect against harmful substances produced by germs, called toxins. They use weakened versions of toxins called toxoids. You may need booster shots to maintain protection against diseases. Examples include the diphtheria and tetanus components of the DTaP vaccine. Subunit and conjugate vaccines use only a specific part of a germ. They provide strong immunity against that essential part of the germ. These vaccines may also require booster shots. Examples include the pertussis (whooping cough) component of the DTaP vaccine and the hepatitis B vaccine. It is important to know that vaccines not only protect you, but also your community... ANH20241es