The human immune system reacts to the penetration of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, foreign cells, recognizes and removes them. This reaction is called an immune response.
The immune response can be humoral and cellular. In the first case, B-lymphocytes are activated, which produce antibodies to certain infectious agents in the blood and lymph. In the second case, T-leukocytes act, destroying the cells of the body affected by pathogens.
After the initial contact with the pathogen, an immunological memory is formed, which prevents the re-development of an infectious disease.
With vaccine prophylaxis, similar processes proceed with the formation of an immune response and post-vaccination immunity.
Why test the immune response?
Using methods of laboratory diagnostics, it is possible to assess the activity of cells of the immune system and draw conclusions about diseases that are currently occurring or have suffered earlier.
For example, IgM antibodies appear 3-4 days after infection and may indicate that a person is sick right now.
IgG antibodies appear 2-3 weeks after infection and persist for a long time. Their presence in the blood indicates that a person is at the stage of recovery, or has suffered a disease in the past, or he has developed post-vaccination immunity.
Since IgM can be present in the blood for 2 months, their "neighborhood" with IgG is possible. Therefore, correct interpretation of test results is important. Thus, testing the immune response helps:
- To diagnose.
- Reveal hidden pathologies.
- Determine the transferred diseases.
- Decide on the need for vaccination.
- Determine the effectiveness of vaccinations already made.
Sometimes information about childhood vaccinations is lost. In order not to put yourself at risk in adulthood, it is also worth checking your immunity and, if necessary, undergoing revaccination.
Women of childbearing age need to remember that rubella transferred during pregnancy can lead to fetal pathology.
To protect yourself and your unborn child from possible negative consequences, it is recommended that you test your rubella immunity, and make sure that there are enough antibodies for an adequate immune response. If not enough, then it is worth getting vaccinated. According to the National Calendar, women are vaccinated against rubella once at the age of 18-25.
