Why Is My Immune System So Weak?

Some reasons your immune system may be so weak include conditions like cancer, diabetes, and pregnancy. People who take corticosteroids or immunosuppressants can also have a weak immune system.

The immune system is your body’s defense mechanism, protecting you against viruses, bacteria, and other microbes that cause disease. This system succeeds in doing just that for most healthy people. The immune system sometimes overreacts or doesn’t work as it should in others. Some people are more susceptible to illness as a result.

What exactly does it mean to have a weak immune system, and what causes it? Read on to learn about having a weak immune system, including how to keep yourself and your loved ones healthy.

White blood cells are immune cells that circulate in your body, looking for any issues. These blood cells mostly do their job, seeking out foreign invaders and protecting the body against them.

Many health conditions and medications can affect their function. Some conditions can make the white blood cells overly aggressive, leading to an outsized response to small threats. A team of healthcare providers may treat the condition with medications that weaken your immune system. These include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors.

White blood cells may also do little or nothing in response to a real threat, leading to far more, or more severe, infections. One of the most common immunodeficiency syndromes is immunoglobulin (IgA) deficiency.

There are many others—more than 200—and they may go undiagnosed. Other conditions that can cause a weak immune system include:

  • Alcohol use disorder
  • BENTA disease
  • Cancer
  • Common variable immunodeficiency
  • Diabetes
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
  • Inherited autoimmune conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis (RA)  
  • Liver or kidney disease  
  • Multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer
  • Organ or tissue transplant
  • Pregnancy

Here are some signs you can look out for that indicate a weak immune system:

  • Digestive problems: Long-lasting digestive problems like chronic diarrhea may indicate a weak immune system.
  • Infections that won’t clear up: You may have a weak immune system if you get the same kind of infection repeatedly or have a condition that won’t clear with antibiotics or requires intravenous (IV) antibiotics.
  • Unusual infections: These are infections, sometimes called opportunistic infections (OIs), that most people don’t get. There are several types of OIs, which are more common and severe than in people with a healthy immune system. OIs can include bacterial infections like tuberculosis, parasitic infections like toxoplasmosis, and fungal infections.
  • You are getting sicker and staying sicker longer: Different people take different amounts of time to recover from an illness. You might have a weak immune system if you have an infection that’s taking much longer to clear up than usual or are always sick.

Certain factors can increase your risk of having a weak immune system, including:

  • Being a transplant recipient
  • Having a family history or risk factors for an autoimmune disorder
  • Having an autoimmune disorder
  • Having chronic stress
  • Taking medications known to suppress immune function
  • Undergoing treatment for cancer
  • Using prescribed corticosteroids

Prevention is critical for people with a weak immune system. Healthcare providers recommend that you wear a high-quality mask in public areas and get vaccinated against viral infections like COVID-19 and the flu.

Other ways to protect yourself include:

  • Ensure your home environment is safe by wiping down and sanitizing often-touched surfaces.
  • Get plenty of sleep.
  • Keep current on all your recommended vaccinations, and ask your healthcare provider which ones they are. Some aren’t safe for people who have primary immunodeficiency.
  • Practice healthy habits like getting the proper nutrition, exercising regularly, and reducing stress and anxiety.
  • Protect yourself from OIs by thoroughly cooking your food and ensuring your water is clean and safe.
  • Try to avoid contact with people who are sick with something they can spread.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water often.

Causes of a weak immune system range from health conditions to medical procedures to certain medications. Conditions that weaken the immune system include cancer, diabetes, and pregnancy. Medications like corticosteroids or immunosuppressants can also make you more susceptible to illnesses. 

Make sure to talk to a healthcare provider about ways to protect yourself and your loved ones if you have a weak immune system. Protective measures can include getting plenty of sleep, staying up-to-date with vaccinations, and washing your hands regularly.

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