How does the body fight Swine Flu?

When the body is infected with the swine flu virus, the immune system responds in several ways to fight the infection:

1. Physical Barriers:

- The body's first line of defense is physical barriers such as the skin and mucous membranes. These barriers prevent the virus from entering the body.

2. Innate Immune Response:

- If the virus breaches the physical barriers, the innate immune system kicks in. This includes various immune cells, such as macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells, which can recognize and destroy infected cells.

- Interferons, which are proteins produced by infected cells, help limit viral replication and spread within the body.

3. Adaptive Immune Response:

- The adaptive immune response is more specific and takes a few days to develop. It involves the production of antibodies by B cells and activation of T cells, which can target and destroy infected cells.

- Antibodies bind to the virus, preventing it from infecting other cells. T cells directly kill infected cells or help B cells produce antibodies.

4. Memory Cells:

- Once the infection is cleared, the body retains memory B cells and memory T cells. These cells "remember" the virus, enabling a faster and more robust immune response if the same virus is encountered again.

5. Vaccination:

- Vaccination against swine flu stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies and memory cells without causing the actual infection. This way, the body is prepared to fight the virus if exposed in the future.

Remember, while the body's immune system is usually effective at fighting off infections like swine flu, it's important to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of infection and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.