What term describes immunity gained from recovering from an illness?

The term that describes immunity gained from recovering from an illness is known as naturally acquired active immunity. This type of immunity develops when a person is exposed to a pathogen, such as a virus or bacteria, and their immune system responds by producing antibodies and memory cells specific to that pathogen. Once the individual recovers from the illness, the immune system retains the memory of the pathogen, providing the person with lasting immunity against future infections by the same organism.

Natural immunity arises without medical intervention, as it relies on the body's ability to respond to an actual infection. This differs from vaccine-induced immunity, which is classified as artificially acquired active immunity since it is induced by exposure to antigens in a controlled manner.

Understanding the distinction between different types of immunities is crucial in microbiology, especially in the context of disease prevention and treatment. This knowledge helps differentiate how the body builds defenses against infectious agents and the various measures that can be taken to enhance or assist those defenses.