The immune system is our body’s defense against infectious organisms and substances that invade our body and cause disease. Cells, tissues and organs work together to form the immune system and protect our bodies. White blood cells, called leukocytes, seek out and destroy disease causing organisms and substances. Leukocytes travel through the body between organs and lymph nodes and exist in two different forms: phagocytes and lymphocytes. Phagocytes destroy the organisms while lymphocytes allow the body to remember and recognize previous invaders and help destroy them.
When these organisms and substances, called antigens, enter the body, several cells work together to help destroy them. B lymphocytes produce antibodies while T lymphocytes (T cells) destroy the invaders. Once antibodies are produced, they continue to exist in a person’s body so if the same antigen is reintroduced, the person will most likely not get sick again.
In this section, you will find how stress levels directly correlate with getting sick, cold and flu prevention strategies, alternative treatments for the common cold and a more in depth look at our immune system.