32 A good understanding of the immune system can help health practitioners identify factors and interventions that will impact on it and explore strategies for minimising harm. Some of these are preventative such as: avoiding the insertion of urinary catheters, encouraging effective coughing to prevent chest infections, ensuring patients receive sufficient fluid and nutrition and early mobilisation. Early detection of an infection that may lead to a sepsis response is an essential skill for nurses, especially those working with acutely unwell patients who are vulnerable to infection. The immune system, when working efficiently, is able to differentiate ‘self’ from ‘non-self’ and mount an immune response, against harmful agents, such as bacteria, viruses or fungi. An antigen initiates an immune response, and includes microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa, as well as non-infectious substances such as pollen or transplanted tissue. At times, this system can turn on itself and cause disorders such as allergic diseases and arthritis. Immunity is divided into two systems, the non-specific or innate immune system and the specific or acquired immune system, although in reality these two components frequently work together. The immune system is made up of a number of organs, cells, substances and physical barriers that, when working together in a coordinated fashion, provide protective immunity. Communication between all of these is paramount to initiate an effective immune response. This part of the immune response is innate or inborn to all human beings. It is responsible for the first response to antigens and can be considered in terms of the ‘first’ and ‘second’ lines of defence.
Physiology of the immune system
Non-specific or innate immune response
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