Babies and Infection – Why does my baby keep getting sick?

Why does my baby keep getting sick!

Is there something wrong with my baby?  Should I be concerned?  Are there any ways to prevent this?  These are just a few of the many questions this article will attempt to explain.

Let us start with a little background on the immune system.

Simply speaking, the immune system is your body’s defense mechanism against foreign and infectious agents.  The immune system comprises of two main components – innate and adaptive.  Innate immunity can be thought of typically as your first line of defense, like the skin, mucous membranes and specific cells of the body such as neutrophils and macrophages.  Adaptive immunity can be compared to an elite group of special forces – lymphocytes (B and T cells), plasma cells and antigen presenting cells.  Plasma cells and B cells create antibodies for the immune system.  Innate and adaptive immunity together work hand in hand to protect the body from foreign and infectious agents.

Baby Vaccinations

Vaccinations are one of the best means to prevent disease and malaise in babies and children.

(Click the picture to download the latest PDF vaccination schedule for babies – June 2011.)

As of 2011, there are currently 16 diseases that children are being vaccinated against.  They are measles, mumps and rubella, hepatitis B, diptheria, pertussis and tetanus, poliomyelitis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis A, rotavirus, varicella, pneumococcal disease, meningocooccal disease and influenza.  Human papillomavirus HPV vaccine has been recommended