| | Immunology Research
Most of the disorders addressed by immunology are those in which the body's own immune system isn't sufficient to ward off disease, and the immune system must be supplemented with external assistance. Since the immune system protects the entire body, AIDS leaves the entire body vulnerable and opportunistic infections can attack multiple body organs, severely weakening the patient.
Arthritis and asthma are diseases of the immune system caused by the body's hypersensitivity to certain substances. Immunology dates back to ancient civilizations, as it has long been known that certain individuals are naturally immune to some diseases, and that survivors of certain diseases are immune to the disease they survived. A variety of drug therapies today can strengthen the immune system and prolong the life of the AIDS patient, but there is currently no cure. Every year, the World Health Organization (WHO) makes a highly educated guess at which, out of a large number of flu bugs, are likely to be in circulation in the coming year, and formulates the 'flu shot'. Everyone, particularly those with weakened immune systems, is encouraged to get their flu shot, which causes the body to produce its own antibodies to repel those particular flus.
AIDS leaves the body susceptible to infections that a healthy patient would easily combat with his or her own antibodies.
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Flu shots are an example of immunology in action.
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