In the wake of Corona virus pandemic, many are unsure of their immune status and are frantically seeking ways to boost their immune system. They want to beat this virus should they accidentally get infected. If you are reading this post, it may be because you took the IMMUNE STATUS QUESTIONNAIRE and are surprised at your score.
Watch out for these 4 signs of weak immunity
1. You get sick frequently and take longer to heal
Falling sick often is one of the most obvious signs of weak immunity. Having a weak immune system doesn’t allow the body to eliminate harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, as a result, you become more prone to getting infections.
As per experts, if you get cold more than three times a year and take longer to recover, it’s an indication that your immune system is not working at its best.
Same is for any type of wounds or cuts that take longer to heal. As per the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology reports, if you have to take more than two courses of antibiotics in a year and even simple bacterial infection turns out to be severe for you, you might be suffering from immunology disorder and you must consult your doctor.
2. Catching colds too often.
It’s normal to have a cold two or three times each year. Usually most people bounce back in seven to ten days. But if you’re constantly battling a cold that won’t seem to run its course – it’s a sign your immune system is struggling to work properly.
3. You Get Frequent Tummy Aches and Diarrhoea.
Have you been told many times over that you have typhoid fever? Or do you find yourself taking Loperamides like Imodium often to curb diarrhoeal episodes? If you have these along with frequent constipation, it could be a sign of a weak immune system .This is because your gut (intestinal microorganism) plays a huge role in regulating your overall immune balance. These healthy microorganisms help protect the gut against infection by sending necessary signals to the immune system particularly white blood cells. But when these healthy microbes get destroyed, bad microbes over populate, irritate the gut and cause tummy aches and diarrhoea. Necessary signals to fight off these infections are lost and this in effect weakens the immune system.
Skin issues.
We’ve all gotten scrapes, bruises and cuts. I’ve always found it fascinating to see the immune system work its magic when observing the healing of wounds. All that nutrient dense blood goes to the injury to repair and regenerate new skin. Although, if your wounds linger and take a long time to heal, it could signify a problem as the immune cell response comes from a healthy immune system.
If you have a compromised immune system, you can take actions to protect yourself and stay healthy:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
- Avoid people who are sick with a contagious illness.
- Avoid touching your face (eyes, nose, and mouth), especially in public areas.
- Clean and disinfect commonly-touched surfaces.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Ensure adequate sleep.
- Quit smoking.
- Minimize stress (as best as possible).
While having a compromised immune system can be difficult, there are tests and strategies available to help you stay as healthy as possible.
If you’re unsure if you’re considered immunocompromised, don’t hesitate to speak to a member of your healthcare team.
