IgM antibodies are one of five types of antibodies produced by the body to fight antigens. They are the first line of defense and are found in blood and lymph fluid. Other types of antibodies include IgG, IgE, IgA, and IgD. A weak immune system can make a person more susceptible to infections.
An IgM antibody, or immunoglobulin M antibody, is one of five types of antibodies that the body produces in response to invading antigens. Antibodies are proteins found in body fluids, such as blood and saliva, that help the immune system fight infection. They are always specific, which means that a corresponding specific antibody is also produced for each type of antigen. Antigens are substances considered foreign to the body and whose presence often triggers the production of antibodies. Examples of antigens are viruses, fungi, parasites and bacteria.
In an individual with a healthy immune system, the invasion of an antigen could set off a chain of events to fight off the attack. When bacteria or viruses enter the body, white blood cells (WBCs) often identify these organisms as foreign to the body. They, in turn, activate plasma cells, another type of white blood cell, which are mainly responsible for producing antibodies. These plasma cells produce the IgM antibody. Other types of antibodies produced by plasma cells are immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody, immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody, immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibody, and immunoglobulin D (IgD) antibody. ).
Each type of antibody has certain actions and locations in the body. The IgM antibody is the largest of the antibodies and is found primarily in lymph fluid and blood. It is generally responsible for neutralizing the invading antigen during the early stage of the disease, until sufficient IgG antibodies are produced. The second time the same antigen attacks the body, these specific IgG antibodies will neutralize them. The IgM antibody is often referred to as the first line of defense and its presence in the blood is often indicative of an infection.
IgG antibodies are the most abundant and smallest antibodies and are mainly present in body fluids. IgE antibodies are found in the mucous membranes, lungs and skin and are often present in high amounts in the blood of individuals with allergies. IgA antibodies are found on many surfaces of the body such as the nose, vagina and eyes and are responsible for protecting these exposed areas from foreign substances. IgD antibodies are often found in small amounts in certain tissues of the body.
A healthy immune system is often capable of producing IgM antibodies and other types of antibodies during infection. Certain factors, however, can potentially weaken the immune system, making a person more susceptible to infections and other illnesses. These factors include excessive intake of sugar-containing foods, lack of oxygen in the body, and side effects of some treatment procedures such as chemotherapy. Individuals with weak immune systems are considered immunocompromised and can easily contract viral conditions such as the flu that a healthy person could easily ward off.
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