Quote:
Originally Posted by FiftyBelow
Your immune system is supposed to respond to these by having particular cells develop antibodies. In the long run your body is supposed to have these particular antibodies in your bloodstream. When the particular antigen enters your system again, the antibodies will there to recognize it and ultimately bind it to the antigen, marking it for destruction by certain cells.
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When immunized (either by vaccine or infection) certain white blood cells, termed B-cells, produce antibody that recognize specific antigen. These antibodies circulate through the body helping to combat infection. These antibodies have a certain half-life and do not remain in the blood forever. The important aspect of immunity is immunological memory. In this case repeated exposure to an antigen will result in the formation of memory B-cells. These cells will remain in your body 'forever' and in the case when you are re-infected these 'professional' antibody producing cells will be able to react much quicker to the infection and produce the necessary antibodies. The problem with influenza, as has already been mentioned is that the virus can mutate rapidly and from one season to the next appear much different. Thus the memory B-cells from a previous infection/vaccination will not recognize this new form of the virus, requiring further vaccination. Vaccination is simply a means of giving your immune system the necessary repertoire to recognize and combat infection.
Sorry this was long and not really directed at you FiftyBelow. I just thought I would put my two-cents in here.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KTown
I am no expert but wouldn't it almost be better to get the flu and build your immunity up for when the virus gets stronger?
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As mentioned above past infections with the flu will not help in an way fight future flu infections. Except maybe if you have experienced the flu in the past it will encourage you to get a vaccine to avoid going through that hell again.
Radley