Do I have a weak immune system?

Do I have a weak immune system?

Do I have a weak immune system?

Your immune system is your body’s defence against infections and illnesses. Made up of various tissues, cells, organs and substances made by your body, the immune system is responsible for identifying pathogens (the germs that cause diseases) and destroying them before they can do too much damage.[1] 

However, if you fall ill a lot more often than your peers and loved ones, you might wonder whether there is something wrong in your immune system that makes you more susceptible to illnesses. 

What is a weak immune system?

The vast majority of people who frequently suffer infections and illnesses have an immune system that is functioning normally. A small proportion of people, however, have abnormalities within their immune system which causes the system to be less effective. This is called immunodeficiency, and lots of people who have an immunodeficiency don’t develop notable symptoms until they become a teenager. Some people don’t develop symptoms until much later in life!

There are two types of immunodeficiency: primary and secondary. Primary immunodeficiency (PID) is where there is no other cause for the condition beyond an abnormality in the immune system. If you have secondary immunodeficiency (SID), the condition is caused by an identifiable factor, such as leukaemia. 

It’s also the case that things done to save your life or improve your health can result in a suppressed or weakened immune system. For example, cancer treatments like chemotherapy can affect your immune response. If you’ve had an organ transplant, you likely have to take medication to prevent your immune system from attacking the donor organ, as it identifies it as not belonging to your body. Unfortunately, this weakens your immune system as a whole, meaning you’re more susceptible to other illnesses.[2] 

What will happen if my immune system is weak?

If you have a weakened immune system, you may be more likely to fall ill than others who have an uncompromised immune system. For example, keeping raw and cooked meats close together can risk cross contamination, introducing harmful bacteria to the cooked meats. If you and your friends then eat the cooked meat, you’re all at risk of developing food poisoning. However, those of you that have an immunodeficiency are at a higher risk and are more likely to become ill.[3] 

On top of that, people who have a compromised immune system are likely to stay ill for longer, as their immune systems are less effective at fighting off infections. This can lead to experiencing symptoms for longer. For instance, if you have a throat infection and you’re immunocompromised, it may take longer for your sore throat to go away than if you were completely healthy.[4] 

Fortunately, people who are immunocompromised can still use palliative medications to help relieve their symptoms while they wait for their immune system to fight off the infection. Sticking to the example of a sore throat, using a topical anaesthetic such as Ultra Chloraseptic’s Menthol Throat Spray can numb the affected area to provide temporary relief against the pain so you can get on with your day while you recover. 

Having an immunodeficiency can make minor ailments more serious and impactful for you. For this reason, you should stay up to date with any vaccinations you’re offered and always speak to your doctor if you’re worried about your health.[5] If you have a minor illness such as a sore throat and you’re immunocompromised, you should get an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 for advice.[6]

Resources

[1] – https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/immune-system 

[2] – https://www.uhb.nhs.uk/services/immunology/immunodeficiency.htm 

[3] – https://www.foodsafety.gov/people-at-risk/people-with-weakened-immune-systems 

[4] – https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/risk-factors/weakened-immune-systems.html 

[5] – https://www.immunodeficiencyuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/lunghealth.pdf 

[6] – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sore-throat/