How to stay healthy with a weak immune system

The immune system protects the body from infection. A person with a weak immune system may be more prone to frequent infections.

White blood cells, antibodies, and other components, including organs and lymph nodes, make up the body’s immune system.

Many disorders can weaken the immune system and cause a person to become immunocompromised. These disorders can range from mild to severe. Some are present from birth, while others result from environmental factors.

They include:

• HIV
• certain types of cancer
• malnutrition
• viral hepatitis
• some medical treatments

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.

In this article, we look at the signs and symptoms of a weak immune system and offer some tips that can help a person stay healthy.

Signs and symptoms of a weak immune system

The primary symptom of a weakened immune system is susceptibility to infection.

A person with a weakened immune system is likely to get infections more frequently than most other people, and these illnesses might be more severe or harder to treat.

These individuals may also find themselves dealing with an infection that a person with a stronger immune system would not get.

Infections that people with a weak immune system often get include:

• pneumonia
• meningitis
• bronchitis
• skin infections

These infections may recur with a high frequency.

People with a weak immune system may also be more likely to experience:

• autoimmune disorders
• inflammation of the internal organs
• blood disorders or abnormalities, such as anemia
• digestive issues, including loss of appetite, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping
• growth and developmental delays, in infants and children

A doctor can do a baseline blood test to identify whether a person has a weak immune system. The test will show whether a person has antibodies in the normal range.