Immunity, Disease Prevention, and Medical Diagnostics

The Immune System and Disease Prevention

The immune system is a set of organs, cells, and molecules whose primary function is to defend the body against infectious agents and abnormal cells within the organism.

It is responsible for defense once infectious agents have crossed the skin or mucous membranes, and it acts through:

Nonspecific Defenses

Nonspecific defenses, such as inflammation, are not dependent on the nature of the pathogen.

Specific Defenses

Specific defenses are based on the specific recognition of foreign substances, known as antigens, against which an immune response is triggered. This response has the following characteristics:

• Specificity: Lymphocytes, which are cells of the immune system, distinguish specific antigens from others and can develop defensive proteins called antibodies.
• Memory: After a second contact with the same antigen, the immune response is much more rapid and effective than the primary response caused after the initial contact with the antigen.
• Tolerance: The immune system exhibits tolerance to the body's own cells and molecules, preventing self-attack.

A vaccine is a material prepared artificially from attenuated or killed microorganisms that may lead to an immune response in the body, providing protection against future infections.

Disease Diagnosis and Prognosis

Diagnosis of disease is the process of identifying a disease and determining its cause.

The prognosis is a prediction, based on experience, regarding the development of the disease, its possible duration, and potential for cure.

Medical Consultation

A medical consultation involves gathering personal data, family history, and symptoms reported by the patient. Through a physical examination, the doctor can detect signs of disease and make a specific differential diagnosis.

Laboratory Analysis

Fishing village Sesimb laboratory. The blood test, biochemical analysis, and immunological tests are used to detect infections such as AIDS or viral hepatitis.

Anatomopathological Analysis

Anatomopathological analysis consists of the microscopic study of tissue samples obtained by biopsy.

Electrograms and Imaging Techniques

These techniques offer information on the electrical activity of nerve and muscle cells, and provide images of organs. They include:

• X-rays
• Ultrasounds
• CT (Computed Tomography)
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
• PET (Positron Emission Tomography)
• SPECT (Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography)

Endoscopic Techniques

Endoscopic techniques are used to obtain pictures of hollow organs and body cavities by inserting an endoscope through natural orifices.

Prenatal Diagnosis

Prenatal diagnosis assesses the state of the fetus and aims to rule out congenital malformations.