Hive Medical Trivia: Weekend Wrap-up

Once again, the weekend is upon us. We had some interesting questions this week and we surely improved our understanding of the immune system. Lets dive into the questions and what their answers are.

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1. After you twist your ankle, it gets red and swollen. What’s causing this?

Correct Answer: A) Inflammation

Options:

• A) Inflammation ✅
• B) Infection
• C) Muscle reaction
• D) Blood pressure changes

Explanation:
Redness and swelling after a twisted ankle are signs of inflammation, a natural healing response. The immune system sends extra blood and cells to the injured area to repair damage, which causes the swelling, warmth, and redness.

• Infection happens when germs invade the body—not usually the case in a simple twist.
• Muscle reaction may cause spasms, but not inflammation signs.
• Blood pressure changes affect circulation generally, not local injury response.

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2. Which habit can help strengthen your immune system?

Correct Answer: A) Getting enough sleep

Options:

• A) Getting enough sleep ✅
• B) Staying up all night
• C) Smoking regularly
• D) Eating only junk food

Explanation:
Sleep supports immune function by helping your body produce infection-fighting molecules like cytokines. Chronic sleep deprivation weakens your defense against illness.

• Staying up all night impairs immunity.
• Smoking regularly damages lung tissues and immune cells.
• Junk food lacks the nutrients your immune system needs.

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3. In an autoimmune disease like lupus or type 1 diabetes, what goes wrong?

Correct Answer: D) The immune system attacks the body’s own cells

Options:

• A) Germs become stronger than the immune system
• B) The immune system disappears and fails to function
• C) The immune system becomes very weak and is overshadowed by other systems
• D) The immune system attacks the body’s own cells ✅

Explanation:
Autoimmune diseases occur when your immune system mistakenly targets your own cells. In type 1 diabetes, for example, the immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

• It’s not about stronger germs, but misidentification.
• The immune system doesn't disappear, it's still active—just misdirected.
• It’s not necessarily weak, but confused about what to fight.

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4. Which of these are special white blood cells that help fight infections?

Correct Answer: A) T-cells and B-cells

Options:

• A) T-cells and B-cells ✅
• B) Red blood cells and R cells
• C) Platelets and J cells
• D) Fat cells and G cells

Explanation:
T-cells and B-cells are white blood cells that detect and attack harmful invaders. B-cells produce antibodies, while T-cells destroy infected cells.

• Red blood cells carry oxygen, not immune fighters.
• Platelets help with clotting, and J cells are not immune-related.
• Fat cells store energy, and G cells make stomach acid, not involved in immunity.

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5. How do vaccines work?

Correct Answer: A) They train your immune system to recognize and fight germs

Options:

• A) They train your immune system to recognize and fight germs ✅
• B) They help the immune system kill all the germs in your body
• C) They increase the number of red blood cells in your blood
• D) They help to block pain signals that cause infection

Explanation:
Vaccines expose the immune system to a harmless version or piece of a germ, so it learns to recognize and fight the real one faster if it ever enters your body.

• They don’t kill all germs—your body constantly coexists with many harmless microbes.
• They don’t affect red blood cell levels.
• They don’t block pain signals—that’s what painkillers do, not vaccines.

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Final Thoughts

From injury responses to lifestyle habits and autoimmune conditions, your immune system is constantly working behind the scenes. Understanding how it functions helps you take better care of your health—through rest, nutrition, and preventive tools like vaccines.

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