Question

Describe the sources of antibodies in humans from pre-birth to old age, including how our bodies change over time as we age.

You suspect a patient is suffering from a systemic inflammatory response. What two things could you check relatively easily to detect signs of such a response, and which one of those two symptoms may on its own require emergency intervention?

A running joke among viewers of the medical drama House was that “it’s never lupus,” even though it frequently came up as a possible diagnosis to the patient-of-the-week’s symptoms. Why is lupus sometimes a difficult disease to diagnose but would often come up as doctors discuss a patient’s symptoms? What is the treatment regimen for Lupus?

Make it super duper short and simple plss

Answer 1

### Sources of Antibodies in Humans:
1. **Pre-birth**: Fetuses get antibodies (IgG) from the mother via the placenta.
2. **Birth to Infancy**: Infants initially rely on maternal antibodies (from breast milk, IgA) while their immune system develops.
3. **Childhood**: The body starts producing its own antibodies as it encounters different infections and receives vaccinations.
4. **Adulthood**: Antibodies are produced in response to new pathogens and via memory cells from previous infections or vaccinations.
5. **Old Age**: As we age, the immune response may weaken (immunosenescence), producing fewer antibodies and resulting in increased susceptibility to infections.

### Systemic Inflammatory Response:
1. **Check for Fever**: Elevated temperature can indicate inflammation.
2. **Check for Elevated Heart Rate**: A significantly high heart rate may need emergency intervention as it can indicate severe physiological stress.

### Lupus Diagnosis Challenges:
- Lupus is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms can mimic other conditions, fluctuating in severity, and vary among individuals. Common symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, and rashes, which overlap with many other diseases.

### Lupus Treatment Regimen:
- Treatment typically includes anti-inflammatory medications (like NSAIDs), corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, and immunosuppressive drugs to manage more severe symptoms. Regular monitoring and lifestyle changes are also important.