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What Are the Characteristics of a Strong Immune System?

J. Finnegan
J. Finnegan

An obvious indication of having a strong immune system is when a person rarely catches colds or other viruses. Bacterial and infections are also infrequent. If sickness does occur, it's usually milder and of shorter duration than for someone with a weaker immune system. There is a connection between immune response and mental status, so people with positive outlooks are often healthier than people who are prone to depression. People with strong immune systems don't suffer from excessive fatigue and are not easily stressed.

A healthy immune system works around the clock everyday of the year, most of the time doing its job completely unnoticed. It isn't until something goes wrong, like a catching a cold or having an infected wound that attention becomes drawn to it. Most components of the immune system aren't visible to the naked eye.

A person who rarely catches colds or other viruses may have a strong immune system.
A person who rarely catches colds or other viruses may have a strong immune system.

The skin is the largest organ of the body and is a part of the immune system. Part of the skin's immune function is obvious as it acts as a physical barrier to invading pathogens. Its other functions occur on a cellular level and aren't visible to the naked eye. If the skin becomes cut or torn, the opening allows germs, parasites, and other pathogens to enter the bloodstream.

A syringe used to administer vaccines, which increase immunity.
A syringe used to administer vaccines, which increase immunity.

Once a pathogen enters the bloodstream an immune response occurs, activating the innate, or non-specific, immune system to fight off the invading pathogens. The disease fighting cells of the innate immune system fight infectious invaders in a non-specific or generic way. If a more specified immune response is required, then the innate immune system triggers the adaptive immune system, which is only found in jawed vertebrates. The adaptive immune system has highly specialized disease fighting cells, which are able to adjust to newly encountered pathogens as well as remember specific pathogens in the event of a future attack.

A person who has a weak immune system is especially susceptible to the flu and other communicable infections.
A person who has a weak immune system is especially susceptible to the flu and other communicable infections.

Most of the time a strong immune system is able to fight off an infectious agent with little to no medical intervention. This doesn't mean, however, that needing medical assistance is a sign of a weakened immune system. Even a healthy immune system will require medical intervention if it encounters a particularly virulent infectious agent. Sometimes medical intervention is only needed to alleviate certain symptoms of an illness such as inflammation, which is, itself, a sign of a strong immune system at work. Inflammation is one of the earliest responses of an active immune system to an infectious or irritating agent.

Discussion Comments

bluedolphin

I think I have a strong immune system because whenever I get an injury like a cut or bruise, it heals super fast. My cut heals in two days and bruises are gone in no time.

SteamLouis

I didn't know what having a strong immune system meant until my immune system weakened.

I used to never get sick until two years ago. I had no allergies, no health conditions and felt great year around. Two years ago, I started getting sick often, developed allergies as well as chronic fatigue. I also developed depression and gained weight. After routine blood tests at the doctor's office, I was diagnosed with type two diabetes and hypothyroidism. I had to get an ultrasound for my thyroid and found out that I had a severe infection that damaged my thyroid.

After lots of medications, diet and lifestyle changes, I'm a bit better now but my immune system is still not back to its old self. I still have allergies and catch colds easily. I have to treat myself really well to not get sick. I take multi-vitamins and fish oil capsules every day.

fBoyle

@anon301792-- I don't see why not. Someone with a weak immune system or chronic health problems should avoid donating blood as it can weaken the immune system further. It's fine for someone who is healthy and with a strong immune system to donate blood. Donating blood is not going to weaken your strong immune system! The body will generate new blood in less than a day.

anon301792

Can a person who has a strong immune system donate blood?

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    • A person who rarely catches colds or other viruses may have a strong immune system.
      By: Photographee.eu
      A person who rarely catches colds or other viruses may have a strong immune system.
    • A syringe used to administer vaccines, which increase immunity.
      By: RTimages
      A syringe used to administer vaccines, which increase immunity.
    • A person who has a weak immune system is especially susceptible to the flu and other communicable infections.
      By: Syda Productions
      A person who has a weak immune system is especially susceptible to the flu and other communicable infections.
    • Consuming lean red meat can supply an individual with a health dose of zinc, and help boost the immune system.
      By: Blind Shot
      Consuming lean red meat can supply an individual with a health dose of zinc, and help boost the immune system.
    • Oxygen therapy may be administered to boost a patient's immune system.
      By: sudok1
      Oxygen therapy may be administered to boost a patient's immune system.