Michigan Esthetician State Board Practice Exam

What is defined as the result of already having a disease or receiving an inoculation against it?

1. Natural immunity

2. Passive immunity

3. Active immunity

4. Acquired immunity

The correct answer is: Acquired immunity

The correct choice is defined as acquired immunity, which refers to the body's response after exposure to a disease or through vaccination. This type of immunity develops when the immune system is introduced to a pathogen, either through direct infection or through vaccination, enabling the body to recognize and fight off that specific pathogen in the future. Acquired immunity is crucial because it helps create a memory in the immune system, allowing for a more rapid and effective response if the body encounters the same disease again. Natural immunity typically refers to the immunity gained through actual disease exposure without a vaccine. Passive immunity involves receiving antibodies from another source, such as through maternal antibodies passed to a baby, which doesn't involve the immune system actively fighting off the disease. Active immunity refers broadly to the immunity that results from the immune system's response to infection or vaccination, but it is usually used more specifically when describing situations involving the body actively creating its immune response. Understanding the specific distinctions between types of immunity reinforces the importance of vaccines and past infections in protecting against diseases in the long term.