Fighting Disease

Infectious Disease

The Body’s Defenses

Preventing Infectious Disease

Table of Contents

Fighting Disease - Infectious Disease

How Pathogens Are Spread

Pathogens can spread through contact with an infected person; soil, food, or water; a contaminated object; or an infected animal.

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What You Know

What You Learned

Using Prior KnowledgeBefore you read, look at the section headings and visuals to see what this section is about. Then write what you know about infectious diseases in a graphic organizer like the one below. As you read, write what you learn.

1. Bacteria and viruses can cause disease.

1. Pathogens spread through contact with an infected person, animal, or object, or through contaminated soil, food, or drink.

- Infectious Disease

Fighting Disease - The Body’s Defenses

The Immune System

The immune system includes T cells and B cells. The cells work together to fight infections.

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Immune Response Activity

Click the Active Art button to open a browser window and access Active Art about immune response.

- The Body’s Defenses

Fighting Disease - Preventing Infectious Disease

Active Immunity

A person acquires active immunity when his or her own immune system produces antibodies in response to the presence of a pathogen.

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Passive ImmunityIn passive immunity, individuals do not have the antibodies, but rather, are passed down to them naturally or through human intervention. This is a temporary fix. Lasting only a few months.

Antibodies are passed from mother to fetus during the last month of pregnancy or through breastfeeding after birth.

Antibodies are introduced directly into the blood stream.

OR

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Comparing and ContrastingAs you read, compare and contrast active immunity and passive immunity in a Venn diagram like the one below. Write the similarities in the space where the circles overlap and the differences on the left and right sides.

Active Immunity Passive Immunity

The body makes antibodies.

Memory cells recognize antigens.

Immunity may last for years or a lifetime.

Antibodies are given; the body does not make antibodies.

Immunity lasts only a few months.

Immunity can be acquired from the mother during pregnancy.

Can prevent diseases

May involve an injection

- Preventing Infectious Disease

Fighting Disease

End of Section:Preventing Infectious Disease