A 10-year-old boy has chickenpox. What is the immunity naturally produced by the infection called?

Appeared in: MP CHO - 2022

Explanation

Active acquired immunity develops when the body's own immune system is stimulated to produce antibodies and memory cells in response to an antigen.
This stimulation can be natural (from an infection) or artificial (from a vaccine).
In this case, the boy's body is actively producing antibodies in response to the natural chickenpox infection, leading to long-lasting immunity.

Option A: Innate immunity is the non-specific, inborn resistance present from birth (e.g., skin, stomach acid). It is not produced in response to a specific infection like chickenpox.
Option C: Passive acquired immunity involves receiving pre-formed antibodies, not producing them. The body is a passive recipient.
Option D: While the process is 'natural', this term is too general and often used to describe innate immunity. 'Active acquired immunity' is the precise scientific term for immunity developed after an infection.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Types of Immunity helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Understanding the types of immunity is fundamental for nurses to educate patients about vaccinations and infectious diseases.
Knowing that chickenpox provides active acquired immunity helps explain why, in most cases, a person does not get it more than once.
This knowledge is crucial for public health initiatives, such as vaccination campaigns, which provide artificial active immunity to prevent outbreaks.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements in the question: 'chickenpox infection' and 'immunity naturally produced'.
Break down the term 'naturally produced immunity from infection'. 'Infection' means the body is exposed to a pathogen. 'Naturally produced' means the body itself is creating the defense.
Analyze the options: 'Active' means the body makes its own antibodies. 'Passive' means it receives them. 'Acquired' means it's developed over a lifetime. 'Innate' means it's present from birth.
Combine the concepts: Since the body is actively making its own antibodies ('Active') after being exposed during life ('Acquired') through a natural infection, the correct term is Active Acquired Immunity.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full MP CHO - 2022

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.