Without our conscious knowledge, the defense team within us defends us from viruses, bacteria, physical invaders of all kinds.
Barriers of skin and mucous membrane stop the vast majority of threats from finding entrance into our bodies every day. The skin acts as a wall, while mucous membranes trap pathogens (disease-causing organisms) before they do damage on the inside. If pathogens get beyond these two barriers, they are met by our genius system of protection.
Your interior first responder is the granulocyte, a type of white blood cell. It is first on the scene when an invader gets through the skin (ex: a cut or scrape) or mucous membranes. They gather in big numbers and begin to digest the invaders, usually dying at the battle site.
Next to arrive is another type of white blood cell called the macrophage. It identifies the invaders' special characteristics and attacks with cytokines, "uniquely tailored chemicals" that may also give you a fever and sleepiness. These cells then alert other parts of the immune system.
Our elegant and effective system protects us from pandemics . .
from The Stream
(cont'd tomorrow)
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