A system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease.
Questions tagged [immune-system]
35 questions
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votes
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Does being cold increase your chances of catching the common cold?
"Everyone knows" - a scary statement - that you get "a cold" from being cold. Now it seems to be a fact that you don't, because you get a cold from a (rhino)virus, not from the temperature.
But is there any correlation between temperature and…
Nanne
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Do "probiotics" have health benefits?
One of the only things that natural-food aficionados and food products mega-corporations agree on is that "probiotics" are good for you. I'm wondering if there is any reliable evidence to support the claims that consuming food or supplements with…
Jonathan
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Russian scientist injects himself with 3.5 million-year-old bacteria, says he is now stronger and hasn't gotten ill in 2 years
I have found several articles regarding a Russian scientist, Anatoli Brouchkov:
Anatoli Brouchkov is a soft-spoken guy with silver hair, and when he lets out a reserved chuckle, his eyes light up like he was belly laughing. If you met him on the…
Jimmery
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Do hand sanitizers have a negative impact on the human immune system?
Related:
Which is more effective at removing germs, washing with soap and water or using hand sanitizers?
Does regular handwashing with antibacterial soap prevent disease?
I've run across some claims stating that the regular use of hand…
Hendy
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Is it possible to "boost your immune system"?
I often hear claims that some activities, nutrients, ... "boost" your immune system. My understanding of the immune system is that it is a finely tuned machine with enormous destructive power. If unconditionally activated it is at least as…
Mad Scientist
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Is eating boogers good for you?
Damn Interesting:
There is an Austrian doctor who has gained notoriety by advocating the picking of one's nose and the consumption of the resulting bounty, particularly in children. Dr. Friedrich Bischinger, a lung specialist working in Innsbruck,…
DarkLightA
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Does intermittent fasting improve immune function through autophagy?
Does intermittent fasting improve immune function through autophagy?
Intermittent fasting (also known as,
"IF") is the practice of periodically
going without food for a period of
time, typically on the order of 20-30
hours. [...]…
Christian
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Can optimism "boost" the immune system
Can your attitude (a positive outlook, optimism, "fighting spirit" etc, or the converse) influence how well your immune system works? Most research that confirm mood correlating with immune system seem to show it for stress, which is a…
Zano
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Do children have "immature Immune Systems"?
In this answer to "Does regular handwashing with antibacterial soap prevent disease?", the responder claims:
Daycares (children) are a slightly unusual situation: children put their hands in their mouths (and eyes and noses, and on the ground, and…
JasonR
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Are pediatricians immune to common communicable diseases?
This morning, our pediatrician cited "a study" where novice and seasoned pediatricians were tested for immunity to common communicable diseases (cold virus, strep bacteria, etc). He said that the study indicated that novice pediatricians had the…
Boris Nikolaevich
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Is 70% of your immune system "located" in your gut?
A recent commercial for a particular brand of yogurt claims, among other things, that 70% of your immune system is located in your gut. I have seen this claim repeated here (the emphasis is mine):
The Intestine/Immune Connection:
Most people don’t…
KutuluMike
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Does living clean weaken ones immune system?
In many places I have heard that living too clean weakens your immune system. For example, a Daily Mail article says:
Evidence is growing that dirt and germs can protect against disease - and that our indoor-based, ultra-clean lifestyles are bad…
Tanmoy
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14
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Do antibiotics weaken your immune system?
Recently, my friend told me that antibiotics will weaken your immune system. Their reasoning is that:
Antibiotics remove the harmful bacteria from you, but they also remove the natural disease fighting bacteria, leaving your immune system crippled.…
DJMcMayhem
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Do cat owners have a lower chance of developing allergies?
The following is from http://blog.petspyjamas.com/getty-dog-owners-vs-cat-owners-unbelievable-facts/9/:
9. Cat owners have a lower chance of developing allergies
When cats enthusiastically rub themselves against your legs, it isn’t
just out of…
cja
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13
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Does stress weaken one's immune system?
This claim is very widespread, but I haven't seen it in any sources I'd consider trustworthy.
RomanSt
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