‘The immune system is the body’s defence force. It protects against infections which
might enter the body. The potential invaders include bacteria and viruses. The two basic defences are cells and chemicals. The best known action of defence cells is the ingesting and killing off microbes. The best known chemical defence is the antibodies - proteins specially made to match with the surface of an invading microbe. Once covered with antibodies, the microbe becomes easier to destroy. So how do the invaders ever win?
Part of the answer is that the chemical defenders take some time to become effective. When the body is infected for the first time by a particular microbe, there is a race between the multiplying microbes and the multiplying cells producing the antibodies. Given time, the body usually wins; eventually enough antibodies are formed to overcome the invaders. But if the initial invasion force is large, or the immune system is weak, the battle may be lost.'