People with a weak immune system have a higher risk of experiencing frequent infections and severe symptoms. They may be more prone to pneumonia and other conditions. Bacteria and viruses, including the virus that causes the infection COVID-19, can have a devastating effect on a person with a compromised immune system.
A susceptible person is someone who is not vaccinated or otherwise immune, or a person with a weakened immune system who has a way for the germs to enter the body. For an infection to occur, germs must enter a susceptible person's body and invade tissues, multiply, and cause a reaction.
Primary immunodeficiency disorders — also called primary immune disorders or primary immunodeficiency — weaken the immune system, allowing infections and other health problems to occur more easily.
The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology reports that signs of a possible immune deficiency in adults include: Having more than four ear infections in one year. Developing pneumonia twice during a one-year period. Suffering from chronic sinusitis or more than three episodes of bacterial sinusitis in a year.
Also, infections like the flu virus, mono (mononucleosis), and measles can weaken the immune system for a brief time. Your immune system can also be weakened by smoking, alcohol, and poor nutrition.
Blood tests.
Blood tests can determine if you have typical levels of infection-fighting proteins (immunoglobulins) in your blood and measure the levels of blood cells and immune system cells. Having numbers of certain cells in your blood that are outside of the standard range can indicate an immune system defect.
You can collect your Immune Health blood sample using a simple and accurate finger-prick blood home test kit, clinic visit or home nurse visit. Your blood contains numerous components that serve vital functions including carrying oxygen, fighting infection and clotting wounds.
Some repeat infections, like pneumonia and bladder infections, may happen because of a genetic predisposition. That's an inherited tendency to get more infections than most people do. Structural issues. Repeat infections can also happen as a result of how your body is put together.
Causes of an Overactive Immune System and Autoimmune Disease
Genetics, environmental factors such as ultraviolet rays, and medication are some ways that autoimmunity is induced. If your immune system is constantly exposed to factors that may be extremes, it may weaken or damage the immune system.
Fruits and vegetables (aim for a broad rainbow of colors to get the most antioxidant variety), fish and fish oil, olive oil, ground flaxseeds, and spices like ginger, rosemary, basil and turmeric can all have a quieting effect on an overactive immune system.
An infection can occur anywhere in your body. The most common places are: the mouth and throat. the skin.
Older adults become more susceptible to infections due to several factors. As people get older, it is more frequent that they have comorbid conditions, such as diabetes, renal insufficiency and arthritis. Many comorbid conditions, both the number and type of comorbid conditions, predispose people to infections.
Tolerance to infection, or disease tolerance, is a mechanism that host organisms can use to fight parasites or pathogens that attack the host. Tolerance is not equivalent to resistance. Disease resistance is the host trait that prevents infection or reduces the number of pathogens and parasites within or on a host.
People ages 65 and older are at increased risk of developing complications if they get the flu because their immune system is not as strong.
Vitamin B12 can help balance immune responses to better fight viral infections.
But if your stress levels, and consequently your cortisol levels, remain high, it can increase inflammation and weaken your immune system. “Being stressed out all the time can lead to serious health consequences,” said Dr. Koshy.
An immunoglobulins blood test measures the amounts of IgM, IgG, and IgA in your blood to help diagnose different types of health conditions that may affect your immune system.
Vitamin C:
Not in dispute: Vitamin C is vital for the function of leukocytes – white blood cells that help fight infections – and you need a lot more when you're sick.
If you have a weaker immune system, you're immunocompromised . This means your body can't fight off infections or viruses as well as people who are not immunocompromised.
Aim for five to nine servings of vegetables and fruits daily to provide those immune-boosting vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. A serving of fruit is one medium piece of fresh fruit, 1 cup of berries or melon, or 1/2 cup of canned fruit packed in its own juice. A serving of vegetables is 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw.
Genetics: “Researchers believe that genetics may play even a bigger role in our risk for infection,” says Dr. Hafeez. Certain genetic characteristics may provide additional protection from infection, while others may increase our susceptibility.