acquired immunity

Definitions of acquired immunity

1. noun

   immunity to a particular disease that is not innate but has been acquired during life; immunity can be acquired by the development of antibodies after an attack of an infectious disease or by a pregnant mother passing antibodies through the placenta to a fetus or by vaccination
   types:

   active immunity

   a form of acquired immunity in which the body produces its own antibodies against disease-causing antigens

   passive immunity

   an impermanent form of acquired immunity in which antibodies against a disease are acquired naturally (as through the placenta to an unborn child) or artificially (as by injection of antiserum)

   type of:

   immunity, resistance

   (medicine) the condition in which an organism can resist disease