What type of immunity occurs when a person is exposed to live pathogens, develops the disease, and then develops immunity?

Prepare for the AAB Medical Technologist (MT) Generalist Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to boost your understanding. Get exam-ready now!

The choice of Natural Active Immunity is indeed the correct answer. This type of immunity arises when an individual is exposed to live pathogens, the immune system responds by developing a specific immune response to the pathogen, and, after recovering from the disease, the individual retains immunity. This process usually involves the production of antibodies and the formation of memory cells that provide long-term protection against future infections by the same pathogen.

Natural Active Immunity is contrasted with other types of immunity, such as passive immunity, which involves the transfer of antibodies from one individual to another without the individual's own immune system being activated. Therefore, this type of immunity does not provide long-lasting protection as natural active immunity does.

Active immunity, in a broader sense, refers to the immunity that the body develops in response to any antigens, including those from vaccines. However, it does not specify the source of the antigens as natural active immunity does.

Specific immunity is a more general term that can encompass both natural active immunity and natural passive immunity, but it does not specifically refer to the process of recovering from an illness. By understanding these distinctions, it becomes clear why Natural Active Immunity is the most precise term for this scenario.

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