Are you getting sick frequently? Not good. Getting recurring infections is one of the signs of weak immune system.
But here is the catch: While frequent colds and flus aren’t signs of good health, once-in-a-while fever may indicate just the opposite. Ref
Being sick not a sign of weak immune system
We usually assume that cough, aches, an fever is a sign of weak immune system, because this is what we are told. But that’s not true.
Feeling sick only means that the immune system is fighting. That’s good. It should. That’s what you would expect from a normally functioning immune system.
So how long should a bed rest last? That depends on two factors: how severe the infection and how strong the immune system is. Ref
How to distinguish strong from weak immune system
Colds and flus shouldn’t present a challenge for a healthy immune system. Unless severely compromised the body shouldn’t be a virus magnet.
That means that viral infections should be infrequent and short in duration, and there should not be any re-occurrences.
People who spike up a fever once a year and get well afterwards are those whose immune systems are the strongest. People who frequently get sick, produce low fevers that don’t seem to make a difference, have the weakest immune system.
Persistent tiredness, #1 sign of weak immune system
The immune system does not sleep. It works diligently during the day and works even harder at night. Ref That’s because during sleep more energy can be devoted to self-defenses. Did you notice that sick people sleep more? Ref
The immune system uses an enormous amount of energy, even more so when in full swing. If the infection is serious, the energy will be taken away from less important functions (like moving about) and shifted in favor of the immune system. This energy redistribution can lead to severe weakness. Ref
That’s why people suffering from long-term infections or chronic inflammation end up with chronic fatigue. Ref
Chronic fatigue may be the first sign of a weak immune system, even in the absence of other symptoms.
Getting wiped by a cold – #2 sign of weak immune system
Why is that some people go through a bout of flu with no consequences and some end up totally wiped-out for weeks? The difference lies in the strength of the immune response.
What the body does during an infection is a good indicator of immune system’s vitality. Good health and great nutrients reserves is what makes the difference. Both you can boost with good lifestyle habits.
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Respect the fever
Infections and fevers tend to go together. Fever is good to fight the virus, but unfortunately really bad for your productivity. But, there’s nothing to complain about. Once the virus is gone for good, you will spring back to life with a new set of anti-viral defenses.
Fever is one of the best defenses the body has against the virus, so let it go to work. Ref Fevers between 37C (98.6F) and 38C (100.4F) can kill numerous viruses. The higher the temperature the more effective the body defenses, so think twice before putting the fever down. For now know that fever is not a sign of weak immune system . Lack of fever frequently is.
Weak fever – #3 sign of weak immune system
Weak body and weak immune system go together. So is lack of fever. It’s natural for the body to spike a fever during infections. When it doesn’t, the infection may spread.
Low grade fever doesn’t have the same virus killing power as high fever and thus it is ineffective in virus eradication.
Many people mistakenly lower temperature while sick, because they think fever equals infection. That is incorrect. Fever isn’t infection. Fever is a response towards the infection. You may suppress fever and think you don’t have infection, but that’s the wrong way of thinking, because the opposite happens. If you lower the fever, not only you keep the infection, but now additionally you prolong the illness.
Fever is not an infection. Fever is the fighting response to the infection. If you kill the fever, you kill the body defenses, NOT the germs. Ref
Be reminded that taking pills to reduce a fever has nothing to do with improving health. In fact, fever suppression disarms body defenses. Ref Fever is the body’s best defense, thus consider lack of it (when needed) to be a sign of weak immune system.
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Low WBC – #4 sign of weak immune system
Few people dare to look at blood work, because they don’t understand it. That’s a mistake. You don’t need a Harvard diploma to understand basic lab values.
So, grab your most recent lab work and see whether can spot a sign of weak immune system. Look for a line stating: WBC. WBC stands for White Blood Cell count. WBC number can tell whether the immune system has sufficient immune system capacity. Compare your number to the norms. If your number is below the normal range, it is a sign of weak immune system.
Worrying about viruses? Want to build up your immune system? Follow the steps outlined in Ousting Sniffles, the best book on building immunity.
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