immunology

immunology

Hello,
Just wanted to know why we take drugs if the immune system is the
bodys natural defence system and it fights againts pathogens.

dobby.

Re: immunology

On Sep 2, 9:05 am, d_lobby...@yahoo . com wrote:
> Hello,
> Just wanted to know why we take drugs if the immune system is the
> bodys natural defence system and it fights againts pathogens.
>
> dobby.

You're speaking of antibiotics, then? Roughly said, they inhibit the
growth of bacterial cells within the human body. This is useful for
some reasons:

1. Many bacteria cover themselves in some kind of slime, our immune
system can't get through that and therefore can't fight those germs
2. Some places, like your bladder, are a bad fighting ground for the
immune system, but a perfect growing place for bacteria
3. Growth can be extremely rapid and the immune system can't keep up
with that amount of bacteria
4. In elderly people or people with an immunodeficiency (e.g. in
AIDS), the immune system is just not strong enough to fight the
infection
5. There is a psychological effect. Many people receive antibiotics
even if their infection has most likely a viral origin, although they
are useless against viruses. Many patients "refuse" to walk home
without some pills, it makes them feel better, plus these antibiotics
protect them from super-infection by bacteria

These are some very basic explanations.
kind regards