The Primordial Soup that is my Circulatory System

I found out yesterday that I am, indeed, immune to mumps, measels, and rubella (MMR). I also found out that I am "equivocal" when it comes to varicella (chicken pox) immunity, which means that while I have some antibodies in my system, I don't have enough to be considered officially immune (meaning I need another $146 worth of vaccinations).

Anyway, this got me to thinking about what kind of junk I have running through my bloodstream. Now, I know it's loaded with red and white blood cells, platelets, probably too much cholesterol, and so forth, but there's something strange about the fact that it's also teeming with antibodies. Now the part that has me weirded out is, what exactly do mumps, measels, and rubella antibodies do when there's no mumps, measels, or rubella germs to kill?

I mean, do they sit around and talk about how they're going to bust a cap in the first mumps or measels germs to trespass on their turf? Is there some kind of MMR games they play (and, like Rudolph, do the few varicella antibodies feel left out because they can't play in any more MMR games?)

Do antibodies get old and die? Is there some kind of retirement home for them? What about the veterans that have actually fought in the MMR wars? Do they get special treatment or reverence from the antibodies that only talk about fighting off disease?

In truth, it creeps me out a little to think about all the living (and dead) things swimming around inside my bloodstream. I'm not a clean freak, but it is a little disconcerting when I realize that an entire host of bacteria, viruses, antibodies, germs, and other microorganisms have moved into my body and taken up residence. Makes me want to run my blood through a coffee filter at least.

Eh. It's early and I probably should be sleeping more...