Immunomodulators and immunostimulants: differences, list of drugs, harm and benefit

Immunomodulators and immunostimulants, the differences of which we consider below, quite often get to us by ear, especially during colds. Often questions about these medications are given in the fall and spring, when our immunity is weakened, requires protection. First, let us become acquainted with the very concept of "immunity".

Immunity

This concept occurs quite often, only a lazy person does not suggest improving it, improving it. But first you need to get to know him, find out how it works before you try to correct it somehow. By the way, immunomodulators and immunostimulants (their differences are colossal) produce an immunity correction, they only act slightly differently.

So, immunity is the ability of our body to protect itself from foreign substances. The constancy is carefully monitored by the immune system. How does the immune system understand which substance to kill? Destruction is subjected to all substances, molecules that are not similar to the structure of substances in the human body.

When we eat foods consisting of large molecules, for example, starch, proteins, they decompose into simple substances, which in turn form more complex compounds, characteristic of the human body, for example: hormones, blood proteins and so on. If the result is a foreign compound, then it is subject to destruction by the immune system.

Agents

As mentioned earlier, foreign compounds can be obtained, call them agents, they can be:

• Bacteria;
• Poisons of insects;
• Cellular debris;
• Chemical substances, for example, it is cosmetics or a washing powder.

Types of immunity

Many are familiar with the concepts of congenital immunity and acquired. What does it mean?

So, innate immunity is a very resource-consuming reaction. That is why it is quickly depleted, the acquired comes to the rescue. Note that innate immunity can not resist for long.

Acquired immunity, unlike congenital, has memory. If a large dose of the causative agent has been administered, then innate immunity gives way to the acquired one. Although antibodies to pathogens quickly disappear, but they can instantly form at the expense of memory to this agent.

Helping the immune system

If our body does not cope with the attack of harmful bacteria, then it is possible to help. There are such drugs as immunomodulators and immunostimulants, the difference is that the former are auxiliary substances that also fight against viruses and bacteria, like the human immune system. The second is forcibly stimulating the immune system to give a reserve to fight the virus. In other words, immunomodulators and immunostimulants, the differences of which we already know, are completely different drugs acting on the human body in completely different ways. We will analyze how.

Immunostimulants and immunomodulators: harm and benefit

Let's imagine a picture: a gypsy rides on a tired horse, so that she does not slow down the pace of the ride, the peasant drives her with a whip. Question: "How long will his horse take?" Of course, no, it is completely exhausted. Another thing is to give her food, water and rest. Then your horse will serve you for a very long time. So with the drugs. Immunostimulator forces you to give out the last reserves of your body, which is dangerous and harmful. In our example, the immunostimulant is a gypsy.

Our immunity is a full bank, one third is a reserve, which the body needs, so to speak, on a "rainy day". You can not force him to give it away, otherwise we have to go straight to the hospital for an ambulance.

Immunomodulator - these are auxiliary substances for fighting agents, they fulfill the function of our immune system (pest control). They are prescribed after long-term treatment, after the transferred disease with complications, after operations, injuries, fractures and so on. The drug-immunomodulator helps to cope with the problem, the treatment is faster and without complications. However, there is a dark side of these drugs, for example, allergies, intolerance of any substances, there are also a number of diseases where the immunomodulator can not be taken at all.

You can strengthen your immunity without resorting to medications. There are immunomodulators of natural (vegetable) origin:

• garlic;
• clover;
• cranberry;
• nettle;
• Schisandra and so on.

This list can be continued very, very long, almost indefinitely. There is one "but". Natural origin immunomodulators and immunostimulants are less effective than their "counterparts", developed in special conditions, in laboratories.

Preparations for children

At the expense of drugs for children, especially immunostimulating and immunomodulating, there is a lot of debate. Let's name the main conclusions, wishes, recommendations of medical workers.

As a result of studying and analyzing a lot of medical work, we can say the following: many parents resort to help from doctors asking them to strengthen the immunity of the child. Hardening, prevention, nothing helps. If a child is often sick, then his immunity is very weak, when natural assistants do not help him, it is possible to take immunomodulating and immunostimulating drugs for children. Note that the child's immune system is just beginning to form, it is very unstable and immature. Only at the age of fourteen will the child develop immunity. That is why immunomodulating and immunostimulating drugs for children need to be selected not independently, but to entrust it to your doctor. This will not hurt your baby.

Immunomodulators and immunostimulants: List

For children and adults this list is different. Side effects, route of administration and dose should be studied in the instructions for the specific drug. Do not self-medicate, contact your doctor.

List:

• "Lycopid".
• "Kagotsel".
• Arbidol.
• "Viferon."
• "Derinat".
• Anaferon.
• "Amiksin".
• "Immunal".
• "Cycloferon."
• Remantadin.
• "Decaris".
• "Lizobakt".
• "IRS".
• "Ergoferon".
• Aflubin.
• "Citovir."
• "Timogen."

Before use, read the instructions carefully. Remember that immunity can be maintained in other ways:

• Proper nutrition;
• Hardening;
• Walking in the fresh air and so on.