Immunity- Lecture Notes

Definition of Inflammation: The body's natural response to injury or irritation, aiming to fight off foreign bodies or infections.
Signs of Inflammation:
- Redness: Increased blood flow to the affected area.
- Swelling: Accumulation of fluids from the blood vessels into tissues.
- Pain: Nerve endings are stimulated due to inflammation and swelling.
Example of Inflammation: Mosquito bites, where the area becomes red, swollen, and painful.

Cellulitis: A bacterial skin infection causing redness, swelling, and pain. It occurs when bacteria penetrate the skin, often through a cut or scratch.

Antihistamines: Medications that block histamine receptors to reduce allergic reactions and inflammation. Common examples:
- Benadryl (Diphenhydramine): Often used for allergies.
- Loratadine (Claritin): An over-the-counter antihistamine for pollen allergies.
Glucocorticoids (Steroids): Anti-inflammatory steroid compounds, often taken intranasally for allergic rhinitis (e.g., Flonase, Clovate).
Nasal Decongestants: Used to dry secretions and alleviate nasal swelling. Examples include:
- Tetrahydrozoline: Intranasal decongestant.
- Phenylephrine: Oral decongestant.

Definition: Medications that reduce inflammation without containing steroids.
Common NSAIDs:
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): Pain relief and anti-inflammatory.
- Naproxen (Aleve): Used for pain and inflammation.
Mechanism of Action: These drugs inhibit enzymes (COX-1 and COX-2) involved in the inflammatory process.

Definition: Medications that suppress the immune response to treat autoimmune diseases or prevent transplant rejection.
Indications:
- Used for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS, and organ transplants (e.g., Cyclosporine).
Side Effects: Prolonged use can make patients more susceptible to infections due to the lowered immune response.

Definition: Drugs that combat infections caused by pathogens (bacteria, viruses).
Categories:
- Antibiotics: Target bacterial infections. Key examples:
  - Penicillin: One of the oldest and cost-effective antibiotics. Effective against gram-positive bacteria.
  - Cephalosporins: Used for patients allergic to penicillin. They have multiple generations tailored for different types of infections.
- Antivirals: Target viral infections (e.g., herpes, influenza).
- Antifungals and Antiparasitics: Target fungal and parasitic infections respectively.

Broad-spectrum Antibiotics: Effective against a wide range of bacteria but can disrupt healthy flora, possibly leading to resistance.
Stewardship Initiatives: Ensuring appropriate use of antibiotics to combat resistance by monitoring treatment effectiveness and patient responses.

Types of Immunity:
- Natural Immunity: The body’s inherent ability to fight infections (e.g., mother-to-child antibody transfer through breastfeeding).
- Acquired Immunity: Developed through exposure to pathogens or vaccines (e.g., vaccines contain attenuated pathogens to provoke an immune response).
- Passive Immunity: Temporary immunity gained through the transfer of antibodies (e.g., from mother to infant).
Vaccines: Facilitate the development of acquired immunity by exposing the immune system to a harmless form of a pathogen.

Review of Key Medications: Understanding various categories of anti-inflammatory and anti-infective medications is crucial for effective treatment of inflammation and infections.
Discussion Points: Importance of proper dosage, potential adverse reactions, and the impact of long-term use on the immune system.