What is the role of the immune system in upper respiratory tract infections (URIs)?
Immune System in Upper Respiratory Infections • The pathogens are mostly trapped at immune system checkpoints i.e. adenoids and tonsils. • Sometimes pathogens pass through the checkpoints and enter the respiratory tract. In such case, immune system initiates humoral and cellular immune response to reduce infections. • Co-ordinated activity of macrophages, monocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils engulf and destroy the pathogens. • At the same time, normal nasopharyngeal flora co-operate to defend the respiratory tract from the attack of intruding pathogens. Patients with suppressed or compromised immune system are very likely to contract viral and bacterial upper respiratory infections which may persist for a long time.
