Latest news with #immuneSystem
Health Line
15 hours ago
- General
- Health Line
Can You Catch Pneumonia?
While pneumonia, an infection in the lungs, itself isn't contagious, the viruses and bacteria that cause it often are. People with weakened immune systems may be at a greater risk from contagious causes of pneumonia. Pneumonia is an infection that occurs in your lungs. While you can't catch pneumonia, you may be able to catch what caused someone's pneumonia. Sometimes, pneumonia is caused by viruses or bacteria that can be transmitted from person to person. However, pneumonia may also be caused by conditions that are not contagious, such as inhaled food that becomes trapped in the lungs or environmental factors like fungus. Read on to learn more about the causes of pneumonia, when they may be contagious, and what you can do to prevent catching a virus or bacterial infection. Is pneumonia contagious? Yes, certain types of pneumonia are contagious. Pneumonia is caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or foreign bodies. Some of these causes may be transmitted from person to person, but not everyone who is exposed will develop pneumonia. Some types of pneumonia are caused by things that can't be transmitted to other people. Bacterial pneumonia can be transmitted from person to person. Forms of bacterial pneumonia include: walking pneumonia streptococcal pneumonia pneumonia caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae pneumonia caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) There are many viruses that can cause pneumonia, including the same viruses that cause the cold and flu. Viruses can pass from person to person easily. For example, the influenza virus can survive on surfaces, making it even more contagious. Other viruses that attack the respiratory system can be contagious as well. Noncontagious pneumonia Fungal pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia are examples of pneumonia that aren't usually contagious. Fungal pneumonia is caused by inhaled fungi from the environment. It does not spread from person to person. The fungi that cause this type of pneumonia are usually found in soil. Aspiration pneumonia isn't contagious because it's caused by inhaling food or liquid into your lungs. This can happen in people who've had a stroke or have other neurologic conditions. How is pneumonia spread? Most cases of pneumonia are caused by either bacterial or viral organisms. These can spread in a number of ways, including: coughs or sneezes that aren't covered not wearing a mask when sick sharing cups or eating utensils touching a tissue or other item after someone with bacterial or viral pneumonia has used it, then touching your face. not washing your hands regularly, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing How can you prevent the spread of pneumonia? Here are some steps that can help reduce your exposure to the bacteria or viruses that can cause pneumonia. Tips for preventing pneumonia Wash your hands regularly, especially if you're caring for someone who has pneumonia. Get vaccinated. Avoid smoking, or get help to quit. Keep your body in good health with exercise and a nutritious, balanced diet. If you have any ongoing health conditions, take all medications as prescribed. When possible, try to limit contact with people who are sick. If you have pneumonia yourself, stay home until you're well and a doctor says your pneumonia is no longer contagious. What are the symptoms of pneumonia? Symptoms of pneumonia include: fever sweating chills a wet cough that produces colored or clear phlegm loss of appetite fatigue nausea and vomiting difficulty breathing Call a doctor if you think an illness may be pneumonia and you're in a high risk category. And contact a medical professional if you have: chest pain cough lasting more than 1 week difficulty breathing or shortness of breath a fever over 100.4˚F (38˚C) for more than 3 days, since most fevers go away in this time worsening symptoms What vaccines are available for pneumonia? Vaccines are an important and effective way to prevent both bacterial and viral infections in children and adults. Pneumonia is a common complication of many of these infections. Other helpful vaccines for children include: DTaP and Tdap, which both protect against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough) flu Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) meningitis pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for Streptococcal pneumonia Other helpful vaccines for adults include: flu meningitis pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine for Streptococcal pneumonia shingles Tdap varicella (chickenpox) Speak with your doctor about which vaccines are right for you and your family. Who is most at risk of getting pneumonia? Not everyone who's exposed to these bacteria or viruses will develop pneumonia. People who are at high risk of developing pneumonia include: children under 2 years old adults over 65 years old pregnant people anyone with a weakened immune system (immunocompromised), such as people who have HIV or AIDS or an autoimmune disease, or who are undergoing chemotherapy people with a chronic condition, such as diabetes or heart disease people with lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma people who smoke people who've been hospitalized Q&A: Can pneumonia be contagious to babies? Q: Can my baby catch our relative's pneumonia? Anonymous reader A: Pneumonia can be transmitted from an adult with pneumonia to a baby by coughing, sneezing, and close contact. Babies are not immunized against pneumonia until age 2. Therefore, they are at greater risk. A few things adults can do to reduce this risk include: covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing washing hands frequently with soap and water limiting close contact not kissing baby's bare skin Chris Young, DNP, RN, NE-BC, NPD Answers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice. Takeaway While you can't catch pneumonia, depending on the type of pneumonia, you can catch what caused it. Bacterial and viral pneumonia are the most common types of pneumonia. They're both contagious. However, you can reduce your risk of developing these pneumonias by getting vaccinated and practicing proper hand hygiene, among other steps. If you do develop pneumonia, effective treatments are available. A doctor will prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial pneumonia. In most cases, your pneumonia should no longer be contagious 24 hours after starting antibiotics, and once your fever resolves, if you had one.
The Independent
a day ago
- Health
- The Independent
How having a pet dog can alter some children's immune systems
A new study indicates that children genetically predisposed to eczema may benefit from having a pet dog at home due to a potential protective effect against the skin condition. Researchers examined data on 280,000 people and found that early exposure to dogs could reduce the likelihood of developing eczema in children with a specific genetic variation. The study identified a link between early dog exposure and a variation in genetic code near the interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7R) protein, which is involved in immune cell function and inflammation. Experts suggest that the IL-7R protein may be a target for future eczema treatments or prevention strategies, potentially allowing intervention in the rise of allergic diseases. Academics caution that the study did not examine the impact of dog exposure on existing eczema and that introducing a dog could worsen symptoms in some children.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
GP warns heartburn could be sign of a 'hidden' condition that affects one in six - if you don't get treated, it could kill
An NHS GP has warned that millions of people in the UK could be unknowingly suffering a little-known condition that puts them at risk of a deadly allergic reaction. Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is an increasingly common blood cell problem that affects around one in six people, but is 'widely undiagnosed', according to Dr Asif Ahmed. In a new clip posted to Dr Ahmed's Instagram page, where he has more than 100,000 followers, the medic said the symptoms, like heartburn, headaches and nausea, can easily be mistaken for other conditions. 'If you've got lots of symptoms, no one knows what's going on, you've been referred to one specialist then the other, then this is a condition you definitely need to consider,' he said in the video that has so far garnered over 40,700 views. He added that the condition can cause 'almost any symptom including headaches, visual problems, nausea, heartburn, skin rashes, extreme fatigue or widespread joint pain', which is why MCAS often gets misdiagnosed. Mast cells are a type of blood cell found all over the body, and are a vital part of the immune system. These so-called 'police officer' cells detect different types of triggers and fight off infection. 'Firstly, mast cells are everywhere in the body—your eyes, gut, joints, skin—and when they release [the hormone] histamine you get symptoms,' Dr Ahmed explained. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Asif Ahmed (MBBS, MRCGP, BSc) (@dra_says) In a healthy person, mast cells trigger a protective response, but in someone with MCAS, they can mistake harmless substances such as pollen for infectious germs, and spark a range of unpleasant—and potentially dangerous—symptoms. Other common triggers include alcohol, heat, medication such as antibiotics, insect bite and sings, exercise, certain foods, perfume and stress. 'In MCAS, what happens is that the mast cells inappropriately release histamine. This means a trigger, environmental generally, that normally shouldn't release histamine, does in you,' the GP explained. This can cause a number of symptoms in different parts of the body—including the build-up of mucus in the airways, which become narrower, cutting off life-giving oxygen. In some severe cases it can cause anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction that limits breathing and can be life-threatening. As well as rapid organ failure, this can restrict oxygen to the brain, resulting in lethal brain damage. Other common symptoms include swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty swallowing, skin that feels cold to the touch, wheezing, and blue, grey or pale skin. One telltale sign of the condition, present in over half of sufferers, is dermatographism—more commonly known as skin writing. 'This is when they can generally draw on their skin and this leaves a wide raised red rash,' Dr Ahmed explained. Doctors can also run blood and urine tests to pick up high levels of chemicals released by mast cells during an episode—but this only works shortly after an episode. Another way doctors may test for MCAS is by seeing if a potential sufferer responds to typical treatments. Dr Ahmed said: 'Often patients who are thought to have MCAS just get started on treatment—which are generally H1 and H2 receptor antagonists and if there's a response to this, they're often diagnosed with MCAS. 'So generally it's a very easy and safe diagnosis option to take, and I think it's an option which is worth considering for people who have ongoing symptoms despite treatment and diagnosis for another condition.' While there is no known cause of MCAS, according to the London Clinic of Nutrition, 74 per cent of people with MCAS have a first-degree relative who also suffers with the condition. It has also been linked with obesity, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), depression and type 2 diabetes. In the most severe cases MCAS can cause severe reactions to almost everything, including foods. This is the case for Caroline Cray Quinn, a healthcare recruiter from Boston, who can now only eat two foods—oats and a specially prepared nutritional formula. Any other food could see her suffer a potentially fatal allergic reaction. While Ms Quinn had severe food allergies growing up, she was only diagnosed with MACS in 2017. 'I got sick with MCAS in September of 2017 after one true allergic reaction to cross-contamination with nuts spiraled into a series of anaphylactic episodes to foods I wasn't allergic to,' Ms Quinn recalled. 'After a long waiting list of eight months, I saw an MCAS specialist who officially diagnosed me.' She added: '(MCAS) presents in a lot of uncomfortable and life-threatening symptoms like difficulty breathing, swelling/itchiness in throat and mouth, loss of consciousness, low blood pressure, and hives/rashes. 'In order to avoid MCAS flare-ups and MCAS symptoms, I avoid triggers like food, animal fur/dander, mould, dust, heat, and certain smells.'
Medical News Today
7 days ago
- General
- Medical News Today
Leukemia and lupus: Link and research explained
Link explained Cancer risk Symptoms Seeking medical help Summary Leukemia and lupus are both conditions that affect the immune system. Although they are different, they share certain symptoms. A person with lupus may have increased risk of developing leukemia. Lupus is an autoimmune disease. A person's immune system is responsible for protecting the body from infection and disease. Autoimmune conditions affect the immune system, causing it to attack healthy tissue. Leukemia is cancer of the blood. There are different forms of leukemia. The type a person has is determined by what type of blood cell it affects, as well as its speed of growth. Some forms of leukemia affect the white blood cells. White blood cells help to fight diseases as part of the immune system. If a person has a problem with their white blood cells, they may be prone to sickness or infection. Lupus and leukemia have certain symptoms in common. Additionally, some research suggests that there may be a link between the two conditions. Read on to learn more about the relationship between lupus and leukemia, as well as when to see a doctor. AbrahamCertain research suggests that there may be a link between lupus and leukemia. A review from 2018 found that having lupus may increase a person's overall risk of developing cancer. It may also increase a person's risk of specific cancers, including: leukemia non-Hodgkin's lymphoma Hodgkin's lymphoma multiple myeloma cervical cancer vaginal/vulval cancer renal cancer bladder cancer esophageal cancer gastric cancer hepatobiliary cancer lung cancer oropharynx cancer larynx cancer non-melanoma skin cancer thyroid cancer Additionally, research from 2022 noted that autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) may increase a person's risk of leukemia. AIHA is a condition that causes the immune system to destroy red blood cells. A further study from 2022 stated that around 10% of people with lupus develop AIHA. A study from 2024 noted that there are rare reports of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) occurring alongside lupus. CML is a form of leukemia that affects the blood and bone marrow. Researchers believe that lupus may increase a person's risk of certain cancers due to its weakening of the immune system. Further research is required to determine the link between lupus and leukemia. A doctor may use immunosuppressants to treat a person with lupus. Immunosuppressants work by suppressing a person's immune system. This helps to prevent it from damaging healthy tissue. However, immunosuppressants may reduce how well the immune system works. This may weaken a person's immune system, causing them to become vulnerable to infections. Information from the American College of Rheumatology notes that the immunosuppressant cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) is used for severe complications of lupus. They also note that this medication may increase a person's risk of certain cancers, including: lymphoma skin cancer bladder cancer Research from 2017 found that the increased cancer risk of cyclophosphamide may occur when it is given at higher doses. Additionally, researchers found that hydroxychloroquine, another immunosuppressant used to treat lupus, may reduce a person's cancer risk when given at low doses. If a person has lupus, they should speak with their doctor about the risks and benefits of their treatments. Although lupus and leukemia are different conditions, they do have some overlapping symptoms. These shared symptoms include: fatigue fever weight loss petechiae, which are tiny red dots on the skin joint pain swollen glands dizziness A person should speak with their doctor if they notice any signs of lupus or leukemia. If a person has lupus, they should speak with their doctor if they notice any new or concerning symptoms. shortness of breath during physical activities paleness frequent infections bruising easily prolonged bleeding from cuts frequent or severe nosebleeds bleeding gums heavier or more frequent menstrual bleeding night sweats enlarged spleen or liver feeling of pain or fullness below the ribs wheezing coughing painful breathing Lupus and leukemia are both conditions that affect a person's immune system. If a person has lupus, they may be more likely to develop certain cancers. These may include leukemia. Researchers are not currently sure what the link is between lupus and leukemia. They believe lupus may increase a person's risk of cancer by weakening the immune system. Additionally, certain treatments for lupus may increase cancer risk. Both lupus and leukemia share certain symptoms. If a person notices any symptoms of either condition, they should speak with a doctor. A person with lupus should speak with their doctor if they notice any signs of leukemia, such as prolonged bleeding from cuts. Leukemia Lupus Blood / Hematology Cancer / Oncology Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. BalajiSubramanian S, et al. A rare case of dual metachronous primary malignancies, chronic myeloid leukemia, and tongue carcinoma in a patient with long-standing systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report and review of literature. Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). (2024). Guo J, et al. (2020). The relationship between cancer and medication exposure in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A nested case-control study. Hsu C-Y, et al. (2017). Cumulative immunosuppressant exposure is associated with diversified cancer risk among 14 832 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: A nested case–control study. Leukemia. (n.d.). Leukemia—patient version. (n.d.). Lupus. (2024). Medications used to treat lupus. (2023). Signs and symptoms. (n.d.). Song L, et al. (2018). The risks of cancer development in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Suzuki E, et al. (2023). Systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid syndrome accompanied by mixed-type autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Systemic lupus erythematosus. (2022). Systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus). (2022). Zhang Y, et al. (2022). Hematological malignancies in systemic lupus erythematosus: Clinical characteristics, risk factors, and prognosis—a case-control study.
RNZ News
25-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Daylight can boost the immune system's ability to fight infections
By Chris Hall * of How does the immune system know when it's daytime? File photo. Photo: Unsplash Ever found yourself out of sync with normal sleep patterns after late nights or working a night shift? It could be you're experiencing what scientists call social jet lag. The term describes the misalignment between our internal body clock (circadian rhythm) and our social schedule. Social jet lag associated with irregular sleep patterns and inconsistent exposure to daylight is increasingly common, and has been linked with a weakened immune system. Disruption of our circadian rhythms through shift work, for example, has been shown to have a negative impact on our ability to fight infections. These observations reinforce the idea that maintaining a robust circadian rhythm through regular exposure to daylight supports a healthy immune system. But how does the immune system know when it's daytime? That is precisely what our research, published today in Science Immunology, has uncovered. Our findings could eventually deliver benefits for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Circadian rhythms are a fundamental feature of all life on Earth. Believed to have evolved some 2.5 billion years ago, they enable organisms to adapt to challenges associated with the 24-hour solar day. At the molecular level, these circadian rhythms are orchestrated through a genetically encoded multi-component time keeper called a circadian clock. Almost all cells are known to have the components for a circadian clock. But how they function within different cell types to regulate their behaviour is very poorly understood. In the laboratory, we use zebrafish - small freshwater fish commonly sold in pet stores - as a model organism to understand our immune response to bacterial infection. We use larval zebrafish because their genetic makeup and immune system are similar to ours. Also, they have transparent bodies, making it easy to observe biological processes under the microscope. Chris Hall (left) and co-researcher Guy Warman with the zebrafish used as a model organism in their study. Photo: Supplied / Chris Hall We focus on an immune cell called a "neutrophil", a type of white blood cell. We're interested in these cells because they specialise in killing bacteria, are first responders to infection, and are the most abundant immune cell in our bodies. Because they are very short-lived cells, neutrophils isolated from human blood are notoriously difficult to work with experimentally. However, with transparent larval zebrafish, we can film them to directly observe how these cells function, within a completely intact animal. Our initial studies showed the strength of immune response to bacterial infection peaked during the day, when the animals are active. We think this represents an evolutionary response that provides both humans and zebrafish a survival advantage. Because diurnal animals such as humans and zebrafish are most active during daylight hours, they are more likely to encounter bacterial infections. This work made us curious to know how this enhanced immune response was being synchronised with daylight. By making movies of neutrophils killing bacteria at different times of the day, we discovered they killed bacteria more efficiently during the daytime than at night. We then genetically edited neutrophils to turn off their circadian clocks by carefully removing specific clock components. This is an approach similar to removing important cogs from an analogue clock so it doesn't tick anymore. This led to the discovery that these important immune cells possess an internal light-regulated circadian clock that alerts the cells to daytime (similar to an alarm clock). This boosts their ability to kill bacteria. Our next challenge is to understand exactly how light is detected by neutrophils, and whether human neutrophils also rely on this internal timing mechanism to regulate their antibacterial activity. We're also curious to see if this killing mechanism is restricted to certain types of bacteria, such as those we're more likely to encounter during the day. Or is it a more general response to all infectious threats (including viral infections)? This research unlocks the potential for developing drugs that target the neutrophil circadian clock to regulate the cells' activity. Given neutrophils are the first and most abundant immune cells to be recruited to sites of inflammation, the discovery has very broad implications for many inflammatory conditions. * The research described here was led by PhD candidates Lucia Du and Pramuk Keerthisinghe, and was a collaboration between the Hall laboratory and the Chronobiology Research Group, led by Guy Warman and James Cheeseman, at the University of Auckland's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. This story was originally published on The Conversation. * Chris Hall is an Associate Professor of Immunology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
