immune system

• Tears and Saliva have a low pH, which is unfavorable to microorganisms and contains lysozyme and phospholipase A.
• The immune system can produce a hugely diverse set of recognition molecules which allows us to recognize literally billions of molecular shapes.
• Lymphocytes have a large number of antigen receptors.
• Opsonin is an antibody or other substance which binds to foreign microorganisms or cells making them more susceptible to phagocytosis.
• B and T Lymphocytes (B or T cells) distinguish minute differences in molecular structure to determine non-self-antigens.
• Sweat contains anti-microbial fatty acids.
• Mucous Membranes contain HCl (parietal cells), which is unfavorable to microorganisms and mobilizes white blood cells (monocytes).
• An antigen is any foreign substance that stimulates the immune system to react to it.
• Once it has responded to an antigen, the system maintains a memory of that Ag.
• The system typically responds only to foreign molecules.
• Skin and mucous membranes contain normal flora, which provides a physical barrier preventing microbial access.
• Skin destroys pathogens through the physical barrier of desquamation and the flushing action of tears, saliva, mucus, urine.
• Defensins are antimicrobial substances found in the respiratory and GI tract.
• The body does not consider its own proteins foreign, therefore the immune system must distinguish self from non-self.
• Topical steroids and antibiotics are commonly used treatments for dermatitis.
• Cold and low humidity are poorly tolerated because of drifting effect.
• The erythema is now dusty in color and excoriations may become secondary secondarily infected.
• Lesions become localized to the flexor surface of the neck, to the eyelids, behind the ears, in the antecubital and popliteal areas and at the wrist.
• There is a vasoconstriction of superficial blood vessels and the skin blanches readily.
• Common foods that cause allergic reactions are dairy, soy, citrus, peanuts, wheat, fish, eggs, corn, and tomatoes.
• Not all people with dermatitis experience all symptoms.
• In general, the symptoms of dermatitis may include: rashes, blisters, dry, cracked skin, itchy skin, painful skin, with stinging or burning redness, swelling.
• Applying surgical tape saturated with a corticosteroid (applied in the morning and replaced in the evening) helps relieve itching and inflammation and protects the skin from scratching.
• Genetic allergens, diseases, nutritional factors, hormonal swings, seasonal changes, infections, and sickness can contribute to the symptoms of dermatitis.
• Heat and high humidity are poorly tolerated because vasodilatation increases the inflammatory reaction thus aggravating the dermatitis and causing increased the itching and discomfort.
• Medical management for dermatitis includes bathing, using lukewarm water, wearing soft smooth cool clothes, avoiding irritants, and applying an emollient liberally and often.
• Herpes simplex is a viral disease characterized by the appearance of sores and blisters anywhere on the skin.
• The symptoms of dermatitis range from mild to severe and will look different depending on what part of the body is affected.
• There is autonomic involvement manifested by excessive sweating and respiratory difficulty.
• Poliomyelitis is an acute infectious disease characterized by changes in the Central Nervous System (CNS) which may result in pathologic reflexes, muscle spasm, and paralysis.
• About 6 percent of patients are under 10 years old.
• Environmental and hyperic conditions, such as poverty, malnutrition, and overcrowding, are factors causing the disease.
• This type of paralysis usually develops rapidly and is a more serious type.
• Males are more prone to the disease than females with a ratio of 12.
• Poliomyelitis is characterized by asymmetric and scattered flaccid paralysis on one or both extremities.
• Hoyne's sign, a way of confirming meningeal irritation, is positive when the head of the supine patient falls back limply.
• Poliomyelitis accounts for about 4 percent of all cases.
• Poliomyelitis does not affect the Central Nervous System (CNS).
• Transient paresis may occur, usually lasting for about a week, with meningeal irritation persisting for about two weeks.
• Death is proportionately higher in males.