Our immune system protects us from diseases. This protection, called Immunity, can be acquired in two different ways during our lifetime: Active Immunity and Passive Immunity.
Active Immunity: Body makes its own antibodies. Slow but long-lasting.
Passive Immunity: Body receives ready-made antibodies. Fast but short-lived.
Vaccines: Active artificial immunity.
Mother's Milk: Passive natural immunity.
| Feature | Active Immunity | Passive Immunity |
|---|---|---|
| Antibodies | Made by own body | Received from outside |
| Speed | Slow to develop | Instant protection |
| Lifespan | Long-lasting (memory cells) | Short-lived (no memory) |
| Example | Vaccines, recovering from illness | Mother's milk, Snake anti-venom |
Active immunity is developed when the body's own immune system produces antibodies against a disease, providing long-term protection. Passive immunity is when ready-made antibodies are introduced into the body for immediate, but short-term, protection.
It is passive immunity. The injection contains ready-made antibodies to immediately neutralize the fast-acting venom, because the body's active immune response is too slow to save the person.
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