Question: How do white blood cells fight infections?

Carmen Denman answered on 9 Mar 2015:

Hi there 294sysb42!

Glad you asked that question. I’ve found some great answers online from a google search which I have paraphrased/summarized below. I would encourage you to watch the cool immune system videos on khan academy! First thing to know is the term white blood cell (or WBC) also can be called leukocyte. So as not to be confused I always think it is good to know what these scientific sounding words actually mean. Word origin: from Greek leukos – white, and kytos – cell. Hence, it is perfectly acceptable to call them white blood cells! 🙂

If a pathogen enters your body, white blood cells of your immune system quickly recognize its foreign antigens (or ‘bits the bacteria is decorated with on the outside’). This stimulates specific lymphocytes to grow, because more cells around to fight the better. These cells will multiply and finally produce antibodies that will stick to the antigens on the invading pathogens and destroy them. Antibodies are great- they are a recognition tool our bodies use to ‘educate’ surrounding cells on what to attack and get rid of.

This initial response takes a few days before it is large enough to fight off the infection. During this time, damage to body tissues will happen and you will feel the symptoms of the infection. However, with most infections, your immune system is able to produce enough antibodies to kill the pathogens that are causing the infection and the symptoms disappear. Once this happens, your immune system switches off its response to this infection but remains active, waiting for other pathogens.

White blood cells are found all over your body, but especially in your lymph glands. These glands often become swollen when your body is mounting an immune response against an infection, which is what we describe as having swollen glands.

Hope this help your understanding of the wonderful white blood cell!

Carmen