Page 36 - ParentsWorld June 2020

against diseases to which her mother
has developed immunity because she
contracted the disease and survived,
naturally or through vaccination.
this passive immunity mediated by
immunoglobulins lasts for about six-
nine months after birth. it is boosted
by breastfeeding. Subsequently, as an
infant enters into early childhood she
becomes more susceptible to diseases
and viruses.
immunoglobulins can also
be transfused to provide passive
immunity, but they have an even
shorter life span. On the other hand
active immunity lasts a lifetime. it
can be acquired naturally as a result
of contracting infection or artificially
with vaccinations and immunization.
these are injections or oral solutions
containing small doses of active,
weakened or dead organisms.
Once the body’s own cells produce
immunity, memory of the previous attack (natural or immunity to stave off infections and survive pandemics:
artificial) is ingrained. it remembers the attack by the  exercise regularly. it increases the heart rate and
disease-causing bacteria or virus and responds vigorously circulation, pumping blood through dilated vessels and
to a second invasion. it produces immunoglobulins which supplying an army of WBc and immunoglobulins to
attack and kill the invader organism. the body.
natural production of immunoglobulins becomes  People with a healthy weight BMi 23-25 (weight in
less efficient with age. that is why people over 65 years kilograms divided by height in meter squared) are less
sometimes respond poorly to immunization and develop prone to immunity-suppressing lifestyle diseases such as
pneumonia and other infectious diseases. good and diabetes and obesity.
sustained immunity requires timely childhood and adult  Abjure alcohol and tobacco.
boosters.  Balanced diets are important for boosting
herd immunity develops when many people become immunity. include 4-6 helpings of fruits and vegetables
immune to a disease either through immunization or and 10 nuts such as almonds which are rich in
because they contract it en masse. harmful viruses are antioxidants and micronutrients (essential vitamins and
unable to find a susceptible host and therefore die of minerals) in your daily diet.
their own accord.  Potent immunity-boosting foods include curry
Here are some ways to boost the body’s innate active leaves, papaya, broccoli, spinach, capsicum and citrus
fruits. Spices such as pepper and turmeric and additives
like garlic and ginger also boost immunity. Probiotics
are naturally present in curd and other home-made
fermented food and ward off infections.
the pharma industry has attempted to extract and
package immunity-boosting micronutrients into capsules
and supplements. But it’s unclear how much of the
active ingredients is destroyed in the manufacturing
process. My advice: avoid vitamin/mineral pills and
include natural immunity-boosting foods in your
family’s diet instead.

(dr. gita Mathai is a well-known vellore-based paediatrician and
author of Staying healthy in Modern india)

parentsworld • june 2020 37