17

CHAPTER

315

Immunologic

Agents

The body’s immune system is its natural defense against microorganisms that

cause diseases (pathogens) and against cells that are not the body’s own cells,

such as transplanted organs. The immune system also treats its own abnormal

cells, such as cancer cells, as foreign and attacks it with the same energy as it

attacks microorganisms.

However, when the immune system is compromised through diseases includ-

ing HIV, the body loses its ability to fight off microorganisms and destroy its

own abnormal cells. The patient encounters more episodes of infection that can

ultimately lead to death.

In this chapter, you’ll learn about the therapies used to assist the immune sys-

tem combat preventable diseases and you’ll also learn about medications that

inhibit the growth of HIV.

A Brief Look at Immunity

The immune system is the body’s way of combating the invasion of micro-

scopic organisms such as bacteria, viruses, molds, spores, pollens, protozoa,

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