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Immune Disorders

The body's immune system is designed to selectively attack foreign particles (antigens) that may be detrimental to the person's health. Symptoms accompanying illnesses (e.g., fever, swelling) are usually the effect of the immune system correctly performing its function. Sometimes, problems may arise with the system.

Immune deficiency has become well known through the AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) epidemic. These are disorders involving the reduction in the immune defense mechanism. In the case of AIDS, infected T cells, a component of the immune system, are being cleared to prevent the spread of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Unfortunately, this results in the progressive destruction of the immune system itself.

Autoimmune disorders involve the immune system incorrectly recognizing a component of the "self" as a foreign antigen. Multiple sclerosis is the effect of antibodies directed against the myelin lining of nerve cells. Although generally classified as an endocrinological or metabolic disorder, one form of type II diabetes has been discovered to be linked to an autoimmune dysfunction.

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