THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IS INFLUENCED BY VARIOUS FACTORS, SOME MODIFIABLE, AND OTHERS NOT.2

STRESS1

  • Chronic stress increases the risk for infections.
  • Chronic stress suppresses the body’s resistance due to dysregulation of the immune response.
  • Stressful events (bereavement, trauma) and chronic stress can lead to systemic inflammation, which
    suppresses the immune cells.
  • Chronic inflammation is linked to infections, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain cancers,
    autoimmune disease and general frailty.
  • Chronic inflammation is linked to infections, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, certain cancers, autoimmune disease and general frailty.

LONELINESS1

  • Risk factor for poor health.
  • Aggravate symptoms during times of viral illness.

ANXIETY/DEPRESSION1

  • Can modulate antibody and immune cell responses to vaccines causing suppressed immune responses.