To understand how acute, chronic, and systemic inflammation work, you need to have a basic understanding of how the immune system functions. An immune system in good working order continually protects you from menaces such as bacteria, viruses, fungi — even virally-infected cells or tumor cells. Alternatively, an immune balance tipped in the wrong direction can set the stage for systemic inflammation, a common response to severe injury.

For more information, continue on to:

• The Immune System
• Immune Cells
• The Molecules of Inflammation
• Chemotaxis