"Even though vaccines contain a pathogen, a person who has received a vaccine usually does not get sick. Why not?"
Please help! I am so confused!
the pathogen has been disabled, so it cannot grow and infect the patient. The body recognizes it as a pathogen, however, so it produces antibodies to prevent infection when a live germ is encountered later on.
Thank You sooooooo much for your help @oobleck !
I can help explain why a person who has received a vaccine usually does not get sick, even though vaccines contain a pathogen.
Vaccines are designed to stimulate a person's immune system to recognize and combat specific pathogens, such as viruses or bacteria. They typically contain a small or weakened dose of the pathogen, or fragments of it, which cannot cause a full-blown infection or make a person sick.
When a vaccine is administered, the body's immune system recognizes the foreign substances in the vaccine and mounts a response against them. This response involves the production of antibodies, which are proteins that specifically target and neutralize the pathogen. Additionally, vaccines can also stimulate the production of specialized cells called memory cells, which “remember” the pathogen and help the immune system respond quickly and effectively in case of future exposure.
So, when a person who has received a vaccine encounters the actual pathogen, their immune system is already prepared to recognize and attack it. The antibodies and memory cells rapidly respond to eliminate the pathogen before it can cause a full-blown infection and make the person sick. This results in a milder or asymptomatic infection, or in some cases, no infection at all.
It's important to note that vaccines don't provide 100% protection, but they significantly reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. They play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and protecting individuals and communities.