A pathogen can enter in our body by contact to an infected person or object or through inhalation. Some are even transmitted by insects especially mosquitoes.

To prevent invasion of pathogens in the first place, the barriers of the body known as nonspecific defenses block them from entering. In the event that the pathogens do enter the body, the immune system initiates an inflammatory rsponse, which causes redness, swelling, or some burning sensation on the site where a foreign object entered your body or where an insect bit. When these pathogens got to circulate within the body, then the whole body may react by inducing fever.

Then, to prevent most of the pathogens from causing abnormalities in the body or simply to become resistant against these, the immune system goes through many and long processes. However, these processes provide long-term benefits to the body since the body knows how to deal with specific pathogens. The memory cells are the ones responsible for this phenomenon. See this slider for the processes involved.

With the specific defenses, the body learns to deal with the pathogens before we get to feel the effects and the sickness. This is the reason why vaccination is very helpful to prevent being exposed to the full-blown disease. Vaccination is the exposure of our body to a part of a pathogen that really doesn't harm our body. By being exposed to even some of the pathogen, our body is "fooled" to stimulate the immune response as if the pathogen really existed. In this way, our body knows how to defend against these pathogens when the actual ones do enter our body.

While the scientific link of lifestyle leading to a stronger immune function is in question, maintaining a healthy lifestyle may still prove helpful in protecting our body against pathogens!

As you may have heard, the intake of Vitamin C is very beneficial in boosting your immunity by helping your body to produce white blood cells to fight off infection. Citrus fruits, like oranges and lemons, as well as vegetables such as spinaches and gingers, are foods rich in Vitamin C. Intake of Vitamin E is also important as it is a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants removes damaging oxidizing agents which may play a role in diseases, one of which is cancer. It can be found in nuts and spinaches.

Sleeping is also very, very important in protecting your body against illnesses. During sleep, your body produces cytokines, which are proteins and may induce fatigue to promote sleep, to fight infection. With lack of sleep, antibodies that defend against infections are reduced, leading to sickness. Lack of sleep is also linked to increased risk of obesity and diabetes.

Lastly, to prevent infection, always maintain a good and proper hygiene. Always wash your hands thoroughly especially after you touch your phone or after going to the bathroom.

Vaccination came from the Latin word vacca, which means cow. Cowpox virus was used to prevent smallpox, which back then was widespread and fatal.

Before vaccination, there was variolation, which came from the Variola virus that caused smallpox.

Humorism was the basis of contracting a disease before Louis Pasteur initially proved the Germ Theory. In this belief, an excess or lack of "humor" or liquid substance—which included the blood, yellow bile, black bile, and phlegm—caused impairments and illnesses.

Laughter decreases the stress hormones in your body. This, in turn, increases immunity and resistance against illnesses.

There are chances that your immune system will attack even the tissues in the body. When these happens, a person has an autoimmune disorder.

While a moderate amount of exercises is very healthy and beneficial to your body, a very high amount may lead to muscle damage and increased risk to illness.

Want to quiz yourself on one of the eight myths related to the immune system? Press the button whenever you are ready! If you were not convinced with the right answer, feel free to check the reference links below. The questions are easy. Good luck!