Why weakened immune system

You may also hear the terms immunodeficiency or immunosuppressed. These terms mean you have a higher risk of getting an infection and becoming sick. If someone is slightly immunocompromised, they may be more likely to catch the common cold.

Being immunocompromised can be temporary or permanent. In many cases, such as during cancer treatment, the immune system can recover after some time. If the offending cause is removed, the immune system may recover back to a healthy state. Alternatively, being immunocompromised may be permanent, as is the case with many congenital diseases. These signs can be muted or may not appear at all, making it difficult to detect an infection. There are different blood tests available to help measure the function of the immune system, including ones that check your white blood cell count and immunoglobulins.

Several types of blood cells are critical for a properly functioning immune system, so healthcare professionals may consider many tests when assessing yours. If you have a compromised immune system, you can take actions to protect yourself and stay healthy:.

While having a compromised immune system can be difficult, there are tests and strategies available to help you stay as healthy as possible. After establishing a career in oncology pharmacy, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 30 years old. She continues to work in cancer care and uses her expertise and practical experience to guide patients back to wellness.

Learn about Dr. As the COVID outbreak grows in the United States, people who are immunocompromised are put in great danger simply living their lives. 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. Children with SCID are missing important white blood cells. Temporary acquired immune deficiencies.

Your immune system can be weakened by certain medicines, for example. This can happen to people on chemotherapy or other drugs used to treat cancer. It can also happen to people following organ transplants who take medicine to prevent organ rejection. 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.

HIV, which causes AIDS, is an acquired viral infection that destroys important white blood cells and weakens the 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.

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. Allergic rhinitis. Sneezing, a runny nose, sniffling, and swelling of your nasal passages from indoor allergens like dust and pets or outdoor allergens like pollens or molds.

In autoimmune diseases, the body attacks normal, healthy tissues. The cause is unknown. Type 1 diabetes. These organs make and release lymphocytes. These are white blood cells classified as B cells and T cells. B and T cells fight invaders called antigens. B cells release antibodies specific to the disease your body detects.

T cells destroy foreign or abnormal cells. An immune deficiency disease occurs when the immune system is not working properly. If you are born with a deficiency or if there is a genetic cause, it is called primary immunodeficiency disease. There are more than primary immunodeficiency disorders. Secondary immunodeficiency disorders happen when an outside source like a toxic chemical or infection attacks your body.

The following can cause a secondary immunodeficiency disorder:. People who have a family history of primary immunodeficiency disorders have a higher-than-normal risk for developing primary disorders. Anything that weakens your immune system can lead to a secondary immunodeficiency disorder.

For example, exposure to bodily fluids infected with HIV, or removing the spleen can be causes. Spleen removal may be necessary because of conditions like cirrhosis of the liver , sickle cell anemia , or trauma to the spleen. Aging also weakens your immune system.

As you age, some of the organs that produce white blood cells shrink and produce fewer of them. Proteins are important for your immunity. Not enough protein in your diet can weaken your immune system. Your body also produces proteins when you sleep that help your body fight infection. For this reason, lack of sleep reduces your immune defenses. Cancers and chemotherapy drugs can also reduce your immunity. Each disorder has unique symptoms that can be frequent or chronic.

Some of these symptoms can include:.