Active immunity is produced by the body's own immune system in response to an antigen, resulting in a negative phase where immunity is temporarily lowered and a latent period of 4 days to 4 weeks. It provides long-lasting and more effective protection with enhanced secondary responses, but is not applicable for immunodeficient individuals. Passive immunity involves receiving antibodies passively without immune system involvement, providing inferior and short-lasting protection but can benefit immunodeficient individuals.

1. DIFFERENCES
D R N I L E S H N K A T E , P R O F E S S O R , P H Y S I O L O G Y , / D I F F E R E N C E S Page 2
Difference Between
ACTIVE IMMUNITY and PASSIVE IMMUNITY B
ACTIVE IMMUNITY PASSIVE IMMUNITY B
1 Produced by body’s
own immune system
in response to
antigen.
Received passively by host,
no involvement of immune
system.
2 Negative phase in which
immunity is transiently
lowered.
No negative phase.
3 Latent period from 4
days to 4 weeks
No latent period.
4 Secondary response
is more enhanced.
No immunological
memory.
5 Active immunity is
long lasting.
Passive immunity is
short lasting.
6 More effective Less effective
7 Not applicable in
immunodeficient
individual
Applicable in
immunodeficient
individual.
8 Offers better
protection.
Inferior protection.