• 23 pairs of chromosomes that are 1/2 from mother and 1/2 from father with number 23 identifying the sex.
• 1st is the largest and 22nd is the smallest.
• chromesome 21 typically identifies down syndrome.
• all DNA is known as a genome.

• Inflammation - WBC's go to the site of inflammation
• Infection - A high WBC count is a sign for infection
• Stress and coping - reduces normal cell processes and can also result in cell death.

Can neutralize viruses and different bacteria but if there are too many can cause damage to the body ex. cancer.

Antioxidants repair damage from free radicals

• Increase fruit and vegetable intake
• use sun screen
• quit smoking
• test homes for Radon.

• 20,000 deaths caused by radon gas decaying uranium
• 2nd leading cause of lung cancer
• 9x denser than air.

Early warning signs

• Change in bowel and bladder habits
• discharge 
• sore throat 
• lumps

nutritional status

Hydration

• differentiate normal host tissue from invader
• Leukocytes are the primary cells in the immune response
• lymph system

1. lymph node
2. thymus 
3. spleen

• IgG - Found in all body fluids and can be given I.V. and is the only A.B. that can cross the placenta and reaches mature level at 7-8 years.
• IgM - Largest A.B. that is low at birth but are mature at 1 year
• IgA and IgE are not present at birth but are manufactured at around 2 weeks of age and mature at 6-7 years.
• IgA - is found in saliva, eyes, nose.
• IgE is found in mucus membrane and are associated with allergies. 

• immunity declines with age
• decreased or slower immune response
• T cells are less responsive
• B cells produce less antibodies
• poor response to immunizations
• insulin resistance
• increase in autoimmune response.

• Provide comfort
• Inflammation - check adema and heat to affected area
• tissue integrity - assess color temp and integrity or presence of sores.

Genetic & Lifespan Considerations for allergies

• Children are more susceptible to allergies if parents or siblings have them
• Inherited genetic mutations
• Gender
• Age
• Race

Things to prevent to improve immunity

• Good nutrition - elderly cannot absorb as well and a b12 deficiency is common
• Weight - underweight or obese
• Stress
• Alcohol, drug & cigarette use
• Unprotected sex

Immunizations

• Introduction of antigen into body
• Production of antibodies against the antigen (active immunity)
• Antibodies given (passive immunity)

Types of Vaccine

• Killed - can still produce antibodies
• Toxoid - weakend ex. tetanus
• Live virus - ex. varicella and measles
• Recombinant - genetically altered
• Conjugated - combined with another

• Topical reaction - change on skin
• Systemic reaction - fever, mobility, rash
• Anaphylaxis - shortness of breath typically from allergies.
• Encephalopathy - alters brain function or structure.
• Bacterial neuritis - bacterial infection of the nerves
• Chronic arthritis - inflammation of the joints