Introduction to Immunity

Welcome to season 3, where we learn about different types of infections that are caused by various pathogens: baceria, viruses, fungi, and more. This season is short because material is based on one individual Course, but there's plenty to learn. The course is also on Coursera and it's called Stories of Infection, offered by Stanford University. The first conversation offers an introduction to immunity, which explores the different components and functions of the immune system. The hosts focus on explaining how both the innate and adaptive immune responses work together to protect the body against pathogens, and highlights the consequences of a suppressed or dysfunctional immune system. Through the example of David Vetter, who suffered from Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID), you'll see how a compromised immune system can lead to severe infections and ultimately death. While not explicitly focusing on cholera, the dicussion offers relevant concepts related to the microbiology, pathophysiology, and immunology of bacterial infections.