STRESS, IMMUNITY & DISEASE

Immune system: Fights foreign objects like a sliver or infections. It usually protects tissues and organs by preventing disease through increased resistance. Occasionally it can get out of hand as in the case of systemic lupus or arthritis. These diseases occur when the body's overactive immune system turns on itself.

Immunosuppression: Occurs under stress, stops natural inflammatory responses that normally protect the body. During stress situations, cortisol production inhibits regular inflammatory responses.

Diseases occur: Because you (the host) become vulnerable and have exposure to an infectious agent (bacteria/virus) you can get sick with illness (cold, flu, mono, etc.). Typically, stress reactions manifest as vulnerability to disease 2-7 days after the peak exposure to the stressor. So if you have undergone a particularly stressful time, about a week later you might develop a cold.