Does stress have any effect on weakening your immune system?

No one is immune from stress. According to Merriam-Webster, stress is defined as “a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life, work, etc”. Despite its negative connotation in popular culture, this mental state can be both beneficial and harmful. An example of ‘good stress’ would be the short, intense burst of tension or anxiety that is felt before events like a test or job interview. Good stress is beneficial because it can provide a temporary extra boost of energy or alertness, which increases performance. Good stress also manifests in the fight or flight response. This chemical reaction occurs when a threat to survival is perceived, and triggers a physiological reaction. An example of the fight or flight response is when we get startled by a loud noise. We have developed this response as a means of survival. When stress is prolonged or unrelenting, it becomes known as chronic stress. Chronic, or bad, stress can be detrimental to mental and physical health. Constant worry about things like family or work problems are examples of chronic stress. Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is another form of chronic stress. This condition occurs when someone is directly involved in or witness to a traumatic event like combat, an accident or natural disaster. In individuals with PTSD, the fight or flight response basically stays on rather than shutting off once the threat has passed. How stress weakens the immune system When long term stress becomes chronic, many systems in the body are affected. Chronic stress results in high levels of cortisol and other corticosteroids circulating in the blood for a long period of time. While there are few side effects from short term exposure to these hormones, over the long term mental and physical damage may occur. People who suffer from chronic or long term stress can experience symptoms like anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Physically, they risk high blood pressure, heart disease and digestive problems. Another danger they face is a weak immune system. The immune system is the body’s form of defense. It is comprised of organs, tissues, cells and cell products that all work together to fight harmful substances like the pathogens that cause infection and disease. There are two main ways that stress has a direct, negative effect on the immune system: 1. It creates chronic inflammatory conditions 2. It lowers the immunity of those who otherwise might have a healthy immune system. According to Dr. Mary Meagher, “people exposed to chronic social conflict experience high levels of stress and consequent dysregulation of the immune system, thereby increasing vulnerability to infectious and autoimmune disease”. Cortisol suppresses inflammation during a response to stress. If it is present in the blood for long periods, the body develops a resistance to cortisol and does not respond to it properly. Instead, it ramps up production of substances that actually promote inflammation leading to a state of chronic inflammation. These pro-inflammation substances, called cytokines, are associated with a host of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions. Autoimmune conditions occur when the body basically mistakes itself as a threat and attacks itself. Examples are fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Other chronic conditions include diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Chronic stress also results lower amounts of a protein that is critical to signaling other immune cells. Without these reinforcements, the body is susceptible to contacting acute illnesses, and prolonged healing times. Lymphocytes are a major component of the immune system. They kill invading organisms that would cause disease and they recognize harmful substances and help defend against them. Cortisol and corticosteroids suppress lymphocytes. With a lowered amount of lymphocytes, the body is at increased risk of infection and disease.

Stress definitely have an effect on the immune system. The short term stressful conditions such as going for an Exams or an interview sre not associated with long term harmful effects. Indeed such stress condions are associated with beneficial "Fight or Flight effect" associated with stress.

However prolonged stress is associated with chronic inflammatory respose that is damaging and may lead to incresaed susceptibility to infections and autoimmune diseases. the allergies are also enhanced and propencity to develop malignancies also increases. Chronic Stress gradually supresses both Innate and adaptive immune response including both cellular and humoral components.

The main effector chemical involved in cuasing this abnormality due to stress is endogenously produced cortisol. 

The remedy to control the damaging effect of stress on our immune system are regular exercise and healthy diet.

yes ! because when we stressed wbcs have the ability to fight tbe antigens reduced. due to this suseptibility of infection increases. the stressed hormone cortisteroid  can suppress the effectiveness of immune system.  which lowers the numbers of lymphocytes.

Your immune system is your body’s first line of defense against invading bacteria, viruses and other pathogens. Your organs, tissues, cells and cell products that all work together to fight harmful substances and protect you from getting sick.

Stress can affect your immune system in two ways:

1. By creating chronic inflammation that harms tissues
2. By suppressing immune cells needed to fight infection

Dr. Awale Ahmed.

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• In fact , there are relationship between stress and immune system and health 
• acut stress means stress which last for few our for example stress for exame or interviwe for a job this is acut stress and good as it can provide a temporary extra boost of energy or alertness, which increases performance
•  Good stress also manifests in the fight or flight response.
• But unfortunately if stress is prolonged , it is become worse and chronic for health and our immune system as many systems in the body are affected. Chronic stress results in high levels of cortisol and other corticosteroids circulating in the blood for a long period of time. 
• So When we’re stressed, the immune system’s ability to fight off antigens is reduced. That is why we are more  susceptible to infections 

When long term stress becomes chronic, many systems in the body are affected. Chronic stress results in high levels of cortisol and other corticosteroids circulating in the blood for a long period of time. While there are few side effects from short term exposure to these hormones, over the long term mental and physical damage may occur. People who suffer from chronic or long term stress can experience symptoms like anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Physically, they risk high blood pressure, heart disease and digestive problems. Another danger they face is a weak immune system. The immune system is the body’s form of defense. It is comprised of organs, tissues, cells and cell products that all work together to fight harmful substances like the pathogens that cause infection and disease. There are two main ways that stress has a direct, negative effect on the immune system: 1. It creates chronic inflammatory conditions 2. It lowers the immunity of those who otherwise might have a healthy immune system.

1. Yes can effect an immune system 

Stress plays a critical role in your immune system.  When your body is out of sync due to stress, colds, recovery, your immune system is put into overdrive. When psychological issues arise from stress our bodies try to induce hormones to balance these anomalies that arise. These issues of the mind are ones on dilemma and environment to which one lives. Combating stress can only be acknowledged if one comes to terms of what causes it in "your life". Stress is beatable. Mind control through meditation and exercise controls stress and most times rids the body of it. We are what we create in our lives and our lives are the creation of that existence to which we become...So, ask yourself, how weak do you become when you are sad? depressed? these are the most common signs of stress being put upon your body on a daily basis. The moment we are out of sync physically the more the stress becomes and the more your immune system has protect your body from more free-radicals and not less. This question already has the answer in it...and that is yourself.

Yes. when stressed, that is in fight or flight mode, your body begins to produce more of stress hormone, cortisol. with fewer lymphocytes, the body is at risk of infection and disease and more susceptible to contractingacute illnesses. this can be termed immune system suppression.