How does chronic stress affect the immune system?

How does chronic stress affect the immune system?

• A. Chronic stress suppresses immune system functioning, increasing vulnerability to illness.
• B. Chronic stress enhances immune response.
• C. Chronic stress has no impact on immune function.
• D. Chronic stress only affects the immune system in children.

Answer: (A)

Chronic stress suppresses immune system functioning, increasing vulnerability to illness. When stress becomes ongoing, the body’s stress response stays activated and cortisol levels remain high. This hormonal environment can dampen the activity and production of key immune cells, reduce antibody responses, and slow the healing process, making infections more likely and recovery slower. Acute stress can sometimes transiently boost certain immune functions, but the long-term pattern of chronic stress is a dampening one. It isn’t limited to children and isn’t consistent with an overall boost in immunity, so the best answer describes the protective cost of persistent stress on the body’s defenses.

Chronic stress suppresses immune system functioning, increasing vulnerability to illness. When stress becomes ongoing, the body’s stress response stays activated and cortisol levels remain high. This hormonal environment can dampen the activity and production of key immune cells, reduce antibody responses, and slow the healing process, making infections more likely and recovery slower.

Acute stress can sometimes transiently boost certain immune functions, but the long-term pattern of chronic stress is a dampening one. It isn’t limited to children and isn’t consistent with an overall boost in immunity, so the best answer describes the protective cost of persistent stress on the body’s defenses.