What is meant by naturally acquired active immunity?

Naturally acquired active immunity refers to the immunity that develops when a person is exposed to live pathogens and subsequently develops the disease. When the immune system encounters a pathogen, it responds by producing specific antibodies and memory cells that will recognize and fight the pathogen in the future. This type of immunity occurs as a natural response to an infection, allowing the body to build a defense against that specific pathogen.

The process of developing active immunity naturally means that the immune response is triggered by the actual encounter with the infectious agent, leading to long-term protection. This is in contrast to vaccination, which involves inoculation with a vaccine to stimulate the immune response without causing illness. Other options like the injection of antibodies represent passive immunity, and the use of antiviral medications does not directly trigger an immune response but rather combats viral infections.