Understanding Antibiotics, Antivirals, and Vaccines: Exploring the Work of Your Immune System

💊Antibiotics target bacteria and can be prescribed in various forms to destroy bacteria and help the immune system fight off infections.

🦠Antivirals are designed to target viruses and can make viral infections less severe, but they need to be taken within a specific time frame to be effective.

💉Vaccines expose your body to a modified form of a pathogen, stimulating an immune response and creating immunity against future infections.

🔒Memory B and T cells play a crucial role in the immune response, as they can "remember" pathogens and quickly combat them upon re-infection.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Vaccinations not only protect individuals but also contribute to herd immunity, which helps protect vulnerable populations who cannot receive certain vaccinations.

How do antibiotics work?

—Antibiotics target bacteria and can destroy them by damaging their cell walls or inhibiting critical protein production.

What are antivirals used for?

—Antivirals are designed to target viral infections and can make the infection less severe. They need to be taken within a specific timeframe after contracting the virus.

How do vaccines work?

—Vaccines expose the body to a modified form of a pathogen, stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies and develop immunity against future infections.

Why are memory B and T cells important?

—Memory B and T cells "remember" pathogens and allow the immune system to quickly recognize and combat them upon re-infection.

What is herd immunity?

—Herd immunity occurs when a significant portion of the population is immune to a specific pathogen, providing indirect protection to vulnerable individuals who cannot receive vaccinations.

00:00Antibiotics, antivirals, and vaccines support the work of our immune system.

02:48Antibiotics target bacteria, while antivirals target viruses.

04:35Vaccines help our immune system develop immunity by exposing our bodies to weakened or inactive forms of pathogens.

06:36Memory B and T cells play a crucial role in our immune response.

06:51Vaccinations not only protect individuals but also contribute to herd immunity.