
Sindiso Marume holding her brother’s health card. Image credit irinnews.org
ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes: Disease:Immunity and Immunisation
- Immunity-is the ability of the body to resist diseases
- There are various types of immunity:
Type of Immunity | How it is acquired |
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Naturally acquired active immunity |
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Artificially acquired active Immunity |
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Naturally acquired passive immunity |
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Artificially acquired passive immunity |
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- Antigen-is any substance that causes the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against it
- It may be a foreign substance from the environment such as bacteria, chemicals, viruses, pollen etc
- Or it may be formed within the body for example toxins produced by bacteria
- Antibodies/Immunoglobulin- is a special protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses
Immunisation of infants
- Is important to prevent them from contracting diseases such as polio, measles etc
- By Zimbabwean law all infants are required to be artificially immunised against certain diseases as shown below
Age | Immunisation | |
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Primary Courses |
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Boosters |
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NB In the acronym DPT-
- D-Diphtheria
- P-Pertussis/ Whooping Cough
- T- Tetanus
- The BCG immunisation will be repeated if there is no scar after 3 months
- BCG is used against diseases such as meningitis, TB, miliary disease
To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page
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