How does the body fight Swine Flu?

When the body is infected with the Swine Flu virus, also known as Influenza A virus H1N1, the immune system initiates several mechanisms to fight the infection and protect itself from the virus. Here's an overview of how the body's immune system responds to Swine Flu:

1. Innate Immune Response:

- When the virus enters the body, the innate immune system is the first line of defense. Cells like macrophages and neutrophils in the respiratory tract detect the presence of the virus and engulf and destroy the infected cells.

- Natural killer (NK) cells also play a role by identifying and eliminating virus-infected cells.

2. Inflammatory Response:

- In response to the viral infection, the body mounts an inflammatory response. Blood vessels in the respiratory tract dilate, leading to increased blood flow and fluid in the airways.

- This inflammatory response causes symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. The increased mucus production helps trap and expel the virus.

3. Interferon Production:

- Virus-infected cells release proteins called interferons. Interferons signal nearby healthy cells to produce antiviral proteins that inhibit viral replication.

- The production of interferons helps limit the spread of the virus to uninfected cells.

4. Antibody Production:

- As the immune response progresses, specialized immune cells called B cells produce antibodies specific to the Swine Flu virus.

- These antibodies bind to the surface of the virus particles, preventing them from entering and infecting other cells.

5. T Cell Response:

- Cytotoxic T cells, a type of white blood cell, recognize and destroy virus-infected cells. These T cells help clear the infection by eliminating the cells harboring the virus.

- Helper T cells assist B cells in antibody production and also activate other immune cells to enhance the immune response.

6. Memory Cell Formation:

- During the infection, some B cells transform into memory B cells. These memory cells carry the information required to produce antibodies against the specific Swine Flu virus.

- Memory B cells remain in the body after the infection is cleared and provide long-term immunity against future exposures to the same virus.

It's important to note that individual immune responses can vary, and some people may experience more severe symptoms and require medical treatment. Vaccinations can provide protection against Swine Flu by stimulating the body's immune system to produce antibodies without causing the actual infection.