The immune system is the body’s defense against germs (bacteria, viruses, fungi) and toxins (chemicals made by microbes). It’s a large network of organs, white blood cells and proteins that protects your child from disease.
Immunity
The first line of defense is innate immunity, which recognizes pathogens and their components before they cause damage. It has receptors that identify pattern recognition molecules on pathogens, which are unique to each germ and conserved across families of germs. These receptors signal a cellular response that kills the germ and limits how much harm it can do.
B cells produce antibodies, which bind to specific markers on the surfaces of harmful invaders and mark them for attack and destruction by other immune cells. Dendritic cells digest foreign and cancerous cells and present their proteins to other immune system cells for identification and destruction. Regulatory T cells provide checks and balances to ensure that the immune system doesn’t overreact, which can lead to autoimmune diseases.
Vaccines train the immune system to respond quickly and robustly to particular pathogens. Natural killer cells and phagocytes destroy harmful bacteria and viruses in the early stages of infection. Interferons, natural killer cells and complement proteins also destroy viruses.
You can boost your child’s immune system by offering him or her a healthy diet, especially one that includes fruits, vegetables and lean sources of protein. Spices like ginger, turmeric and garlic are thought to have immune-boosting properties. Citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits and tangerines, are a good source of vitamin C, which helps strengthen white blood cells.
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