What are the examples of natural immunity?

Natural immunity refers to the body's inherent defenses against pathogens. Here are some examples:

Types of Natural Immunity

Natural immunity can be broadly categorized into:

• Innate Immunity: This is the first line of defense and includes physical barriers and cellular responses that are present from birth.
  • Physical Barriers: These include skin, mucous membranes, and cilia which prevent pathogens from entering the body.
  • Cellular Responses: These include cells like natural killer cells and phagocytes that engulf and destroy pathogens.
• Passive Immunity: This type of immunity is acquired through the transfer of antibodies from another source.
  • Maternal Antibodies: A key example of passive immunity is when antibodies are passed from a mother to her baby.
    • Breastfeeding: As noted in the reference, when a mother breastfeeds (chestfeeds), she transfers antibodies through her milk to her baby. This transfer is crucial because it provides protection against harmful germs while the baby's own immune system is still developing.

Practical Examples of Natural Immunity

Here are some practical examples:

• Skin: Acts as a physical barrier, preventing microbes from entering the body.
• Stomach Acid: Kills many pathogens that enter through food and water.
• Coughing and Sneezing: Expel pathogens from the respiratory tract.
• Tears: Contain enzymes that destroy bacterial cell walls.
• Breast milk: Provides essential antibodies from the mother to the infant.

How Natural Immunity Works

• Immediate Response: Natural immunity is always ready to respond to threats immediately.
• Non-Specific: It does not target specific pathogens but instead provides a general defense.
• Enhances Adaptive Immunity: Natural immune responses help to activate and shape the adaptive immune response that follows.

These examples of natural immunity showcase the various ways in which our bodies are naturally equipped to defend against infections from birth. The transfer of maternal antibodies through breast milk is a particularly crucial example of how immunity is passed on to protect the most vulnerable.