Our Immune System

Our bodies are the ideal environment to host, support and transmit foreign invaders in the form of organisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. Many microbes (germs) are constantly trying to break through our immune system whose role as the frontline of defence against such invaders that may be health compromising resulting in infection, disease and inflammation.

Our immune system relies on a sophisticated identification and communication network; immune disorders like allergies, arthritis, skin rashes and inflammation are an indication of immune failure that may be a result of inability to recognise a pathogen; exposure to common pathogens will very often result in a strengthened immune system.

There are lots of examples of this as we live daily life, exposure to cowpox when working with dairy cattle which may result in minor discomfort for an individual but provides the immune system with the information it needs to recognise the likes of small pox and provide an immune response to protect those who have had expo- sure to cowpox.

This leads us to the fundamental premise for immune response support through inoculation and vaccination and exposure to mild and or harmless pathogens either natural or laboratory produced.

Some interesting examples; cesarean birth may very often result in a child being more susceptible to allergies, as a natural birth exposes a baby to nature’s bacteria and pathogens during birth.

As toddlers early childhood centres are a breeding ground and transmission path for pathogens and viruses; the coughs, colds, runny noses and tummy upsets are all part of growing up and boost our immune systems the old adage (if it doesn’t kill you it makes you stronger).