How do antibodies work?

They are Y shaped proteins that work kind of like a laser on a gun in a sense

Explanation:

They latch on to intruders and serve as signals to the immune system to attack the bacteria they have launched on to. After the Bacteria has been destroyed they also stay around and remember what that bacteria looked like so your body can try and stop that type of bacteria sooner and more effectively.

The antibodies work with the immune system to destroy these antigens. Once the antigen is destroyed, the antibodies continue to hang around just in case the antigens decide to try and make a comeback.