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HomeKnowledge CenterWellness LibraryImmune System
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:
Immunizations.
Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus).
Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection.
Sjögren's Syndrome.
Health Topics
Acquired Von Willebrand Disease
Addison's Disease
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
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
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Helping Children During Immunizations
Hidden Gluten
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Infection
HIV and Exercise
HIV and Fatigue
HIV and Pregnancy
HIV Screening
HIV Treatment in Children
HIV Viral Load
HIV: Nonprogressors and HIV-Resistant People
HIV: Preventing Infections
Hyperthyroidism
Immunizations
Immunizations and Pregnancy
Immunizations for Premature Infants
Immunizations: Questions Parents Ask
Immunoglobulin
Importance of Immunizations
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine (Inactivated or Recombinant): What You Need to Know
Influenza (Flu) Vaccine (Live, Intranasal): What You Need to Know
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: Finger and Hand Surgeries
Rubella (German Measles)
Sarcoidosis
Scleroderma
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
Ulcerative Colitis
Vaccine Information Statements
Vaccines to Prevent the Flu
Valley Fever
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE)
Zika Virus
Medical Tests
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
Make a Wise Decision
Flu Vaccines: Should I Get a Flu Vaccine?
HPV: Should I Get the Vaccine?
Shingles: Should I Get a Vaccine to Prevent Shingles?
Take Action
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
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.
To learn more about Ignite Healthwise, LLC, visit webmdignite.com.
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Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of South Carolina, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of Texas, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see
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