Immune System
Learn about the immune system
The immune system is the body's natural defense system that helps fight infections by attacking the germs that cause diseases. But just like with any other part of your body, there can be problems with your immune system. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is an example of a virus that damages the immune system so that the body is unable to fight infections. And sometimes the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own cells. This is known as an autoimmune disease. This kind of disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, can be very hard to deal with. Our topics can help you cope with immune system problems. We can also show you how to strengthen your immune system against common diseases.
Get the information you need in our immune system topics, such as:
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Immunizations . -
Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) . -
Rheumatoid Arthritis . -
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection . -
Sjögren's Syndrome .
Acquired Von Willebrand Disease Addison's Disease Allergic Reaction to Tattoo Dye Allergies to Insect Stings Allergies: Rush Immunotherapy Allergy Shots for Allergic Rhinitis Allergy Shots for Asthma Allergy Shots for Insect Stings Allergy to Natural Rubber (Latex) Antibiotics Antihistamines Antiretroviral Medicines for HIV Arthroplasty for Rheumatoid Arthritis Arthroscopy for Rheumatoid Arthritis CD4+ Cells Celiac Disease Chickenpox (Varicella) Chikungunya Fever Common Questions About the Flu Vaccine Comparing Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis Complications of Lupus COVID-19: People Who Are at High Risk for Serious Illness Crohn's Disease Diabetes and Infections Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs) Ebola or Marburg Virus Infection Eczema (Atopic Dermatitis) Environmental Illness Fever or Chills, Age 11 and Younger Fever or Chills, Age 12 and Older Flu: Signs of Bacterial Infection Guillain-Barré Syndrome Helping Children During Immunizations Hidden Gluten HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Infection HIV and Exercise HIV and Fatigue HIV and Pregnancy HIV and Weight Loss HIV Home Care HIV Infection in Health Professionals HIV Screening HIV Treatment in Children HIV Viral Load HIV: Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) HIV: Giving Support HIV: Nonprogressors and HIV-Resistant People HIV: Preventing Infections HIV: Preventing Other Infections When You Have HIV HIV: Stages of Infection HIV: Tips for Caregivers to Avoid Infection HIV: Why Healthy Eating Matters Hyperthyroidism Immunizations Immunizations and Pregnancy Immunizations for Premature Infants Immunizations That May Cause Fever Immunizations: Questions Parents Ask Immunoglobulin Importance of Immunizations Indirect Coombs Test Influenza (Flu) Vaccine (Inactivated or Recombinant): What You Need to Know Influenza (Flu) Vaccine (Live, Intranasal): What You Need to Know Interactive Tools Intrauterine Fetal Blood Transfusion Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Deciding About Total Joint Replacement Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Inflammatory Eye Disease Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Pain Management Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Range-of-Motion Exercises Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Stretching and Strengthening Exercises Living With More Than One Health Problem Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) Lupus and Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Lupus and Pregnancy Lupus: Criteria for Diagnosis Lupus: Healthy Eating Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Mononucleosis (Mono) Mononucleosis Complications Mouth Sores Multi-Organ Transplants Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Getting Support Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Managing Your Energy Necrotizing Fasciitis (Flesh-Eating Bacteria) Neutropenia: Preventing Infections Nonallergic Rhinitis Opportunistic Infections in HIV Organ Transplant Organ Transplants: Antirejection Medicines Peanut Allergy Phototherapy for Eczema Phototherapy for Psoriasis Pneumocystis Pneumonia and AIDS Polymyalgia Rheumatica Preventing Tetanus Infections Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) Pseudomonas Infection Psoriasis Psoriatic Arthritis Recombinant Zoster (Shingles) Vaccine: What You Need to Know Resistance to HIV Medicines Rh Sensitization During Pregnancy Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis: Classification Criteria Rheumatoid Arthritis: Finger and Hand Surgeries Rheumatoid Arthritis: Neck Symptoms Rheumatoid Arthritis: Systemic Symptoms Rubella (German Measles) Sarcoidosis Scleroderma Self-Care for AIDS Caregivers Sepsis (Septic Shock) Shingles Sjögren's Syndrome Staph Infection Swollen Glands, Hernias, and Other Lumps Under the Skin Swollen Lymph Nodes Synovectomy for Rheumatoid Arthritis Temporal Artery Biopsy Tetanus Thrush Travel Health Types of Hair Loss Ulcerative Colitis Vaccine Information Statements Vaccines to Prevent the Flu Valley Fever Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) Ways HIV Cannot Be Spread Zika Virus
Antibiotic Sensitivity Test Antibody Tests for Lupus Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Test Autoimmune Disease Tests Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125) Test CD4+ Count Test Celiac Disease Antibodies Test Cold Agglutinins Test Complement Test Coombs Test C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Test Fetal Blood Sampling (FBS) During Pregnancy Gallium Scan Hepatitis C Viral Load Test HIV Viral Load Test Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Test Immunoglobulins Mononucleosis Tests Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Test Rubella Test Sedimentation Rate (Sed Rate) Tissue Type Test Toxoplasmosis Test Viral Tests
Flu Vaccines: Should I Get a Flu Vaccine? HIV Testing: Should I Get Tested for Human Immunodeficiency Virus? HPV: Should I Get the Vaccine? Shingles: Should I Get a Vaccine to Prevent Shingles?
Allergies: Avoiding Indoor Triggers Allergies: Avoiding Outdoor Triggers Arthritis: Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis Celiac Disease: Eating a Gluten-Free Diet HIV: Taking Antiretroviral Medicines Sjögren's: Caring for Yourself at Home
Current as of: September 25, 2023
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