Active immunity is the type of immunity that develops in response to an antigen. When a person is exposed to an antigen (a foreign substance such as a virus or bacterium), their immune system produces antibodies against that antigen. Over time, these antibodies can provide long-lasting protection against future infections with that same antigen.
Passive immunity, on the other hand, is immunity that is acquired from another source. This can happen naturally, such as when a mother passes antibodies to her baby during breastfeeding, or artificially, such as when a person receives antibodies from another person or animal as a treatment for a specific disease. Unlike active immunity, passive immunity is generally short-lived and does not provide long-term protection against future infections.
Difference between Active Immunity and Passive Immunity
Active immunity and passive immunity are two types of immune responses in the human body. The main difference between active and passive immunity is in the way they are acquired.
Active immunity is the immune response that is triggered by exposure to an antigen, such as a virus or a bacterium. This can happen naturally, through infection, or artificially, through vaccination. When the immune system recognizes an antigen, it produces antibodies that can destroy the invading pathogen. Active immunity can take time to develop, but it is usually long-lasting because the immune system “remembers” the antigen and can produce an immediate response if re-exposed to it.
Passive immunity, on the other hand, is the transfer of antibodies from one person or animal to another. This can happen naturally, through the transfer of antibodies from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or artificially, through the injection of preformed antibodies, such as in the case of antivenom for snake bites. Passive immunity is immediate but short-lived, as the transferred antibodies eventually degrade and the body does not produce new ones.
In summary, active immunity is acquired through exposure to an antigen and the production of antibodies by the body, while passive immunity is acquired through the transfer of preformed antibodies from another source.
