If you’re often getting sick, catching infections easily, or healing slowly, these can be signs that the immune system isn’t working as well as it should. Below is a practical guide to recognize potential warning signs and steps to take. What to look for

• Frequent infections
  • Recurrent colds, ear infections, sinus infections, bronchitis, or pneumonia that happen more often than normal for your age and health.
  • Infections that take unusually long to clear or keep coming back within a short period.
• Slow wound healing
  • Minor cuts or scrapes that take much longer than expected to heal or that infections linger around the wound.
• Fatigue and energy changes
  • Feeling unusually tired or weak, even after resting, which can accompany ongoing infections or inflammatory processes.
• Digestive or gastrointestinal patterns
  • Recurrent stomach problems such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or malabsorption that aren’t explained by diet or other conditions.
• Unexplained or persistent symptoms
  • Unexplained fevers, night sweats, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, or rashes that don’t fit a simple illness.

Who should consider medical evaluation

• If you have repeated infections (several in a year), infections that require longer treatment, or infections that are unusually severe.
• If you have symptoms that persist despite standard care, or you have a family history of immune disorders.
• If you have associated signs such as persistent fatigue, rapid unintentional weight loss, or frequent fevers.

What to discuss with a healthcare provider

• A detailed history of illnesses: frequency, types of infections, how long they last, and treatments tried.
• Any medications, vaccines, or immune-modulating factors (e.g., steroids, biologics, chemotherapy).
• Family history of immune or genetic disorders.
• Review of symptoms beyond infections (fatigue, night sweats, weight changes, digestive issues).

Possible tests and evaluations

• Physical examination and basic blood work ( CBC with differential, inflammatory markers like CRP or ESR).
• Immunoglobulin levels (to assess antibody quantities such as IgG, IgA, IgM).
• Tests for specific lymphocyte function or vaccine response if indicated.
• Additional tests guided by symptoms (e.g., thyroid function, diabetes screening, gut health assessments).

Lifestyle approaches that may support immune health

• Balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains; adequate hydration.
• Regular, moderate exercise; adequate sleep (7–9 hours per night for most adults).
• Stress management and mental well-being.
• Smoking cessation and limiting alcohol.
• Maintaining up-to-date vaccines as advised by your clinician.
• Safe hygiene practices and prompt treatment of infections.

Important caveat

• Many signs listed above can occur with common illnesses or other non-immune-related conditions. A clear diagnosis requires clinical evaluation and appropriate testing by a healthcare professional. If new, severe, or persistent symptoms arise, seek medical advice promptly.

If you’d like, share details about your recent infection frequency, wound healing, tiredness, or other symptoms, and I can help you interpret what they might mean and what questions to ask your doctor.