The immune system plays an important role in protecting our body. And it is needless to say that keeping your immune system boosted is necessary. But how do you know that you have a strong immune system? Well, the only way to find out is by trying out a weak immune system test! In that way, you will find out if you have a weak immune system and consequently take the necessary steps to boost it up! Read our article below, and we will help you with all the ways to try out a weak immune system test!
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What is the immune system?
Our immunity system is working 24 hours to keep our body healthy. Moreover, it protects our body from fungi, viruses, bacteria, different microbes, and even our cells if they turn out to be harmful to the body.
Our immunity system comprises neutrophils, t-cells, white blood cells, antibodies, macrophages, memory B cells, and our lymphatic system.
However, like other systems in our body, you can also damage our immune system. There is a lot of weak immune system test through which you can find out the reason behind it.
What does ‘immunocompromised’ mean?
Immunocompromised can be broken down into two parts: “immune,” which means the immunity system, and “compromised,” which means weakened or damaged. A person who has an immunocompromised system means their immune system is not working properly.
You might hear a lot of people mentioning terms like immunosuppressed or immunodeficiency. This means the body is at high risk of getting any infection or becoming sick.
Moreover, being immunocompromised might worsen a disease from common infections or increase the risk of getting uncommon diseases like pneumocystis jirovecii.
Also, it can be temporary or permanent. Someone with slight immunodeficiency will probably catch a common cold and fever. Whereas someone with severe immunodeficiency might have a fever, and it can be life-threatening for them.
What might be the reason for immunocompromised?
Most individuals can be immunocompromised for various reasons, such as age, cancer, cancer treatments, and metabolic disorders such as familial hypercholesterolemia and diabetes.
What are signs of a weak immune system?
Here are the following ways to find out if you have a weak immune system:
Excessive stress level
It is not common to get sick after submitting your assignment at your college or after a few hours of road journey.
According to doctors, long-term stress will weaken the immune system. This happens because stress will reduce the body’s lymphocyte levels, which are the white blood cells that fight against infections and microbes. Hence if the lymphocyte levels are low, then a person will be more likely to catch a common cold.
Blood disorders
Some common blood disorders will indicate a damaged immune system. Some of the bleeding disorders are blood clots, anemia, blood cancers (such as myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma), and hemophilia.
Hence the person needs to do an immediate weak immune system test.
Dry Eyes
If a person has an autoimmune disorder, it means the immunity system will attack the body instead of protecting it. Two examples of this disorder are lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
People with this disorder will have dry eyes. Moreover, it will feel like there is sand or salt like something in the eyes. Also, they might have redness, pain, vision blurred, and clumpy discharges. In some cases, people cannot even cry if they want to due to this disorder.
Feeling tired all the time
It is common to feel tired after a stressful day or if someone is spending a sleepless night due to work. But if someone is getting proper sleep and if they still feel exhausted, then it’s a sign that the immune system is struggling.
This is because the immune system is trying to store energy to fight off the infections.
If this happens to you, it is best to do a weak immune system test.
Delayed development and growth
In kids, delay growth is a huge sign that their immune system is weak. So, if you see your kid is not growing normally like others, you should talk to the doctor.
Most of the time, it happens due to malnutrition. In this case, the doctor will suggest a nutrient-rich diet to the kid. The diet should include healthy fats, protein, vitamins, minerals, and many other nutrients.
Stomach upset
If you are having diarrhea or constipation, which lasts more than 15 to 30 days, it is a huge sign that the immunity system is damaging the lining of the small intestine or the digestive system.
Wounds healing slowly
Once you get a cut, burn, or scrape, the skin will go under damage control mode. The body will send nutrient-rich blood to the wounded place so new skin can regenerate quickly.
However, the healing process depends on the immune system. Hence, if you have a small cut and take a lot longer to heal than it normally would, you need to do a weak immune system test.
Sudden Weight Change
Even if your workout routine and eating habits are the same, you might have a sudden weight loss or weight gain; it can be a chance of a weak immune system. If you are suddenly gaining or losing weight, it means there is an issue with the thyroid gland, which is causing this problem.
Rashes
Our skin is the first barrier against bacteria or other germs. Hence how the skin looks is related to how well the immunity system is working.
Red, dry and flaky skin is a common sign of inflammation. But if the rashes are painful and do not clear up after weeks, then it is a sign of weak immunity.
Furthermore, individuals who have lupus sometimes get butterfly-shaped rashes on their cheeks and nose. So if something like that appears on your skin, you must do a weak immune system test.
Always suffering from the common cold
First of all, every adult gets a common cold 2 to 3 times a year. It is very normal, and most people bounce back within a week.
When someone catches a cold, it takes 3 to 4 days for the immune system to make antibodies and fight against the infection.
However, if you are constantly suffering from a cold, then it is a sign that your immunity is weak.
Diagnosis of weak immunity
Firstly, the doctor will ask you the history of any illness and if any family member has immunity system disorder.
The doctor will also do few physical exams.
Blood test for immune system
The most common weak immune system test is a blood test. Moreover, blood tests will determine the levels of infection-fighting proteins known as immunoglobulin in the blood, the number of immune system cells, and blood cells. An abnormal amount of any of the cells indicates that the person has a weak immune system.
Also, a blood test can calculate if the immunity system is working properly and is producing proteins that will find and destroy all the microbes such as viruses or bacteria.
Prenatal testing
If one of the parents or any close family has immunodeficiency disorder, then the parents should do a test before having a child. The doctor will collect the amniotic fluid, cells, or blood from tissues. This will become chorion or placenta and are tested for any irregularities.
Sometimes the doctor does DNA testing to identify any genetic defect.
Weak immunity system treatment
Once you try out the weak immune test and are sure your immune system is weakened, it is time to try out the treatments. Check them out below:
Immunoglobulin therapy
It is a mix of antibiotics that treats a lot of health conditions. Also, it helps to damage the infections.
Furthermore, it can be injected into the vein by an IV line, or it can also be implanted underneath the skin, known as a subcutaneous infusion.
Subcutaneous infusion is needed to be done twice a week, and an IV line needs to be done every few weeks.
Interferon-gamma therapy
It is a natural compound that fights off microbes and stimulates the immunity system. However, people with low immunity are injected with this substance three times a week on their arms or thigh.
It also treats chronic granulomatous disease, which is one of the primary forms of immunodeficiency.
Growth factors therapy
Sometimes weak immunity is caused due to the lack of some white blood cells. Growth factor therapy will help to increase the number of white blood cells which fight against infections and microbes.
How to have a strong immune system
Individuals who have a weak immune system can do a lot of things to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Good hygiene
The best way to stay healthy and have a good immune system is to wash your hands often. Doctors have suggested washing the hand at certain times, such as:
- Before eating your meals
- While preparing meals. Also, before and after it.
- If you have touched any animal, animal foods, or animal waste.
- After you have touched garbage.
- If you are sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose, you should wash your hands.
- Wash your hands if you treat a cut or open wound either on your skin or someone else.
- If you come in contact with a sick person.
According to reports, washing hands decreases infections by 58%.
Get enough sleep
Reports have stated that sleep deprivation affects the immunity system the same way stress does. If someone is not sleeping enough then, it disturbs the production of white blood cells, which is a vital element of the immune system.
Furthermore, doctors have suggested adults should sleep for a minimum of 7 hours, whereas for babies and kids, it should be between 8 to 17 hours, depending on their age.
Eat nutritious diet
Having a healthy and balanced diet will improve an individual’s overall health. Most of the time, doctors suggest people who have a weak immunity system, a diet that has many fruits and vegetables as they have a huge amount of nutrients.
However, if a person has severe weak immunity, for example, they are suffering from any illness, then the doctor will suggest some extra steps, which include:
- Avoid undercooked foods such as eggs, fish, or meat.
- Not to drink any store-bought juices which have added preservatives.
- Must buy pasteurized dairy products.
- Avoid eating refrigerated foods.
Supplements
The deficiency of minerals and vitamins will affect our immunity system. For instance, if an individual has iron deficiency, then it can be said the person has a weakened immune system.
Some minerals and vitamins that can affect our immunity function are:
- Vitamin A
- Folic acid
- Selenium
- Vitamin C
- Zinc
- Vitamin D
- Copper
- Vitamin E
Even though some nutrients support our immunity system but they do not cure any illness. The best way to get nutrients is from foods, but if you are still struggling, then supplements will help the immunity.
There are a lot of multivitamin supplements available in the market. Do consult the doctor before you buy them.
Workout regularly
Working out daily will make the body healthier. Not only does exercise strengthen our body, but it also releases endorphins that decrease the stress level. But people with weak immunity must be careful and should not push themselves to do exercises as it will weaken the immune system even further.
People will weak immunity should avoid:
- Exercising for a long period
- Not taking a break between exercises
- High-intensity workout
But, they can do low-intensity workouts (such as walking) daily, which will be beneficial for them.
COVID-19 pandemic precautions
Those who have weak immunity have a higher chance of developing the symptoms of COVID-19, especially after the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Hence here are few things you need to do:
- Stay at home as much as possible
- Wash your hands often
- Disinfect your house frequently
- Always wear a mask if you are going out
- Keep a distance of a minimum of 1 meter when talking to someone
- If any health problem arises, then seek medical help immediately.
Disinfect objects
Due to COVID-19, most of us are relying on online services. It is best to clean and disinfect the items once they reach your home. Moreover, try not to use them for 24-48 hours after you’ve received them and clean them after a day. Nowadays, there are many disinfecting sprays available in the market; use them as much as possible. You can use your regular soap as well to clean the items.
Final Thoughts
Our immune system plays a major role in protecting our body from harmful viruses and bacteria. They are always fighting against them to protect the body.
A person with a weak immune system must take extra steps to protect themselves. Have a balanced diet and do light exercises regularly and see your immunity system getting boosted in no time.