Vaccines are substances that stimulate the immune system to produce an acquired immunity against specific pathogens.
How do vaccines work?
Vaccines introduce weakened or killed pathogens or their parts into the body, triggering an immune response without causing the disease.
What is immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy is a type of treatment that uses the body's immune system to fight against diseases, including cancer.
How does immunotherapy work?
Immunotherapy enhances or suppresses the body's immune response to target specific cells or molecules involved in disease.
What is the purpose of vaccines?
Vaccines help prevent infectious diseases by providing immunity against specific pathogens.
What diseases can vaccines prevent?
Vaccines can prevent diseases such as polio, measles, hepatitis, influenza, and many others.
What are the different types of vaccines?
There are several types of vaccines, including live attenuated vaccines, inactivated vaccines, subunit vaccines, and mRNA vaccines.
What are the potential side effects of vaccines?
Common side effects of vaccines include soreness at the injection site, mild fever, and fatigue. Serious side effects are extremely rare.
What are the potential side effects of immunotherapy?
Immunotherapy can cause side effects such as fatigue, flu-like symptoms, skin rash, and immune-related adverse events. The severity varies for each individual.
What is herd immunity?
Herd immunity occurs when a significant portion of a population is immune to a particular disease, providing indirect protection to those who are not immune.
What are some examples of immunotherapies used in cancer treatment?
Some examples of immunotherapies used in cancer treatment include checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy, and immune system modulators.
Can immunotherapy cure cancer?
Immunotherapy can be effective in treating certain types of cancer and achieving long-term remission or cure in some cases.
What is active immunization?
Active immunization involves administering a vaccine to stimulate the immune system to produce an immune response and develop immunity.
What is passive immunization?
Passive immunization involves the direct administration of pre-formed antibodies to provide immediate protection against a specific pathogen.
How long does immunity from vaccines or immunotherapy last?
The duration of immunity can vary depending on the specific vaccine or immunotherapy treatment. Some provide lifelong immunity, while others may require booster doses.