Weakened Immune System

Weakened Immune System Overview

The immune system is our body’s defense against infections and other harmful invaders. Without it, people would constantly get sick from germs such as bacteria or viruses.

Our immune system is made up of special cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect us.

The lymphatic system is a major part of the immune system. It’s a network of lymph nodes and vessels. Lymphatic vessels are thin tubes that spread, like blood vessels, all over the body. They carry a clear fluid called lymph.

Lymph contains tissue fluid, waste products, and immune system cells. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped clumps of immune system cells. They are connected by lymphatic vessels. They contain white blood cells that trap viruses, bacteria, and other invaders, including cancer cells.

White blood cells are the cells of the immune system. They are made in one of your lymph organs such as the spleen or thymus, and in the bone marrow.

The immune system is a complex system of blood cells and organs, and it protects the body from harmful germs that can cause illness. If an individual finds that they are frequently getting infections, they might have a weak immune system.

A person with a weak immune system can take some steps at home to keep themselves healthy and maximize their immune function.

Causes of Weakened Immune System

When your immune system doesn’t work the way, it should, it is called an immune system disorder. You may:

Have an immune system that turns against you. This is called autoimmune disease
Be born with a weak immune system. This is called primary immune deficiency
Get a disease that weakens your immune system. This is called acquired immune deficiency
Have an immune system that is too active. This may happen with an allergic reaction

Immune System Disorders

Following are some common examples of immune system disorders:

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID): This is an example of an immune deficiency that is present at birth. Children are in constant danger of infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This disorder is sometimes called “bubble boy disease.” This disease is deadly without treatment.
Temporary acquired immune deficiencies: The immune system can be weakened by certain medicines, for example. This can happen to people on chemotherapy or other medicines used to treat cancer.

It can also happen to patients after organ transplants who take medicine to prevent organ rejection. Also, infections such as the flu virus, mono (mononucleosis), and measles can weaken the immune system for a short time. Your immune system can also be weakened by smoking, drinking alcohol, and poor nutrition.
AIDS: HIV, which causes AIDS, is an acquired viral infection that destroys important white blood cells and weakens the immune system. Patients with HIV/AIDS can become seriously ill with infections that most people can fight off. These infections are called “opportunistic infections” because they take advantage of weak immune system.

Autoimmune Diseases

In autoimmune diseases, the body attacks normal, healthy tissues. Scientists don’t know why this happens. It’s likely a combination of a person’s genes and something in the environment that triggers those genes.

Three common autoimmune diseases are:

Type 1 Diabetes: The immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Insulin removes sugar from the blood to use as energy.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): This type of arthritis causes swelling and deformities of the joints. An autoantibody called rheumatoid factor or anti-CCP is in the blood of some people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Lupus: This disease attacks body tissues, including the lungs, kidneys, and skin. Many types of autoantibodies are found in the blood of people with lupus.

Researchers don’t know what causes autoimmune diseases, but many different factors seem to be involved. If you have an immune system disorder, learn as much as you can about it and work closely with your healthcare providers to manage it.

An Overactive Immune System

If you are born with certain genes, your immune system may react to substances in the environment that are normally harmless. These substances are called allergens. Having an allergic reaction is the most common example of an overactive immune system. Dust, mold, pollen, and foods are examples of allergens.

Some conditions caused by an overactive immune system are:

Asthma: The response in your lungs can cause coughing, wheezing, and trouble breathing. Asthma can be triggered by common allergens like dust or pollen or by an irritant like tobacco smoke.
Eczema: An allergen causes an itchy rash known as atopic dermatitis.
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis): Sneezing, a runny nose, sniffling, and swelling of your nasal passages from indoor allergens such as dust and pets or outdoor allergens such as pollens or molds.
Food Allergy: Severe allergic reactions that are caused by foods.

Signs and Symptoms of a Weakened Immune System

The primary symptom of a weakened immune system is susceptibility to infection.

A patient with a weakened immune system is likely to get infections more frequently than most other people, and these illnesses might be more severe or harder to treat.

These individuals may also find themselves dealing with an infection that a person with a stronger immune system would not get.

Infections that patients with a weak immune system often get include:

Bronchitis
Meningitis
Pneumonia
Skin infections

These infections may recur with a high frequency.

Patients with a weak immune system may also be more likely to experience:

Autoimmune disorders
Blood disorders or abnormalities, such as anemia
Digestive issues, including loss of appetite, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping
Growth and developmental delays, in infants and children
Inflammation of the internal organs

A doctor can do a baseline blood test to identify whether a person has a weak immune system. The test will show whether a person has antibodies in the normal range.

Steps to Stay Healthy

Patients with a weak immune system can take several steps to maximize their chances of staying healthy and avoiding infections.

Avoid People Who are Sick

People with a weak immune system should avoid being too near to anyone who has a cold or another infection.

Viruses and other infectious illnesses can spread from person to person through close contact. They can also spread in the water droplets that a person expels into the air when they cough or sneeze.

It is not always possible to avoid people who are sick. However, a person with a weak immune system should always avoid close contact, such as hugging or kissing, with the unwell person until the illness resolves. They should also avoid sharing food and beverages with the person.

Consider Taking Supplements

Some vitamins and minerals affect the immune system. For example, a person who has a vitamin C deficiency can have weakened immunity.

Other vitamins and minerals that can affect immune function include the following:

Vitamin A
Iron
Vitamin D
Folic acid
Vitamin E
zinc

It is worth noting that while certain nutrients are essential for supporting the immune system, they will not cure or prevent any disease.

It is best to get nutrients from dietary sources where possible, but if this proves challenging, supplements may help with immunity.

Disinfect Household Objects

Germs that have the potential to cause illnesses can live on some surfaces and items in the home, such as doorknobs and remote controls. A person can reduce the number of germs that inhabit these areas and objects by disinfecting them regularly.

Eating a Healthful Diet

Eating a healthful, balanced diet can improve a person’s overall well-being.

For people with a weak immune system, doctors generally recommend a diet that is rich in vegetables and fruit, which will provide plenty of nutrients.

If a person is very immunocompromised, for example, because they are undergoing cancer treatment, a doctor may recommend that they take extra steps to avoid foodborne illnesses.

These may include:

Avoiding undercooked meats, fish, and eggs
Choosing pasteurized juices and dairy products over unpasteurized products
Refrigerating food promptly
Washing all fruits and vegetables before peeling them

Exercising Regularly

Regular exercise keeps the body healthy. In addition to strengthening the body, exercise causes it to release endorphins that reduce stress levels. However, those with a weak immune system should be careful not to push themselves too hard, as this can weaken the immune system further.

Therefore, people with a weak immune system may wish to avoid exercising:

At too high an intensity
For extended periods without stopping to rest
Too frequently

However, regular, low intensity exercise is likely to be beneficial.

Getting Enough Sleep

According to research, sleep deprivation has a similar effect on the body’s immune system as stress. Lack of sleep disrupts the normal production of white blood cells, a crucial component of the body’s immune system.

According to the CDC, adults should aim for at least 7 hours of sleep per day, while infants and children need between 8 and 17 hours of sleep, depending on their age.

Maintaining Good Hygiene

One of the easiest ways for a person with a weak immune system to stay healthy is by practicing good hygiene, which includes washing the hands frequently. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend washing the hands at the following times:

After having contact with someone who is unwell
Before, during, and after preparing meals and snacks
After using or helping a child use the bathroom
Before eating
After blowing the nose, sneezing, or coughing
Before and after treating a cut or another open skin wound
After changing a diaper
Touching an animal or animal food or waste
After touching garbage

Proper hand washing significantly reduces illnesses. According to the CDC, hand washing decreases infectious diarrhea cases by 58% in people with a weak immune system.

The CDC also state that hand washing with soap and water can help protect children and minimize the number of deaths from pneumonia and diarrheal disease in those under the age of 5 years.

Managing Stress

Stress can weaken the immune system further and make a person more susceptible to illness.

Some research shows that a person who is under excessive stress is more likely to get sick.

People with a weak immune system should take steps to manage their stress. Practices that may reduce and manage stress include:

Meditation
Massage
Spending time pursuing hobbies
Staying in touch with friends, relatives, and others who can offer support
Yoga

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