Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: annie123 on 17/02/2017 19:33:53

Title: Can an overactive immune system protect as well as injure?
Post by: annie123 on 17/02/2017 19:33:53

My doctor had flu. He had the vaccine. I never get flu, or colds, or several other things other people seem to get regularly caused by viruses or bacteria. I sometimes don't get the flu vaccine  but have had the other major vaccines. I have an autoimmune disease. Doctor told me yesterday that probably protects me against flu and other things. Does anyone think this is a credible idea? I can't find any support on autoimmune disease sites.

Title: Re: Can an overactive immune system protect as well as injure?
Post by: chris on 15/04/2017 11:47:18

I don't know for certain, but I am sceptical about the doctor's assurances. The immune system is a very powerful weapon, easily capable of destroying the person it is there to protect. Consequently, the controls that are in place are intended to ensure that the immune response that is unleashed against a perceived threat is a highly targeted and focused one. This is why being infected with whooping cough won't stop you catching TB, despite the fact that both are bacterial infections.

It's true that challenging the immune system against one target may slightly raise the overall level of protection against similar entities (so expose to a cold virus might help a little bit to protect you against other similar types of virus) but for full "immunity" you would need actually to encounter the bug itself, either in a live or dead context.

On average, I'd say that people with autoimmune conditions are more - rather than less - likely to succumb to infections, because any immune response pulls the immune system off target and also weakens the body, consuming resources; and if the disease also damages tissues, like the skin, then it might render the person more vulnerable to opportunistic infection.

But, if anyone has any references showing that certain types of autoimmunity confer positive immune benefits, do please share them.

Title: Re: Can an overactive immune system protect as well as injure?
Post by: smart on 15/04/2017 12:31:44

Quote from: annie123 on 17/02/2017 19:33:53

I sometimes don't get the flu vaccine  but have had the other major vaccines. I have an autoimmune disease.

The effects of vaccination on autoimmune disorders is controversial.

See: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10648110