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Immune Systems After the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Everyone has heard that immune systems weaken when they are sheltered, but is that really the case? As we are now over one year into lockdowns and social distancing, many are becoming concerned that after the pandemic immune systems are going to falter after being isolated for such a long period, and many adults are concerned to resume a normal life due to this...

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Immune Systems After the COVID-19 Pandemic By: Katie McCallum Everyone has heard that immune systems weaken when they are sheltered, but is that really the case? As we are now over one year into lockdowns and social distancing, many are becoming concerned that after the pandemic immune systems are going to falter after being isolated for such a long period, and many adults are concerned to resume a normal life due to this. The idea that people who are exposed to more viruses, bacteria, and parasites as young children will lead to them being able to gain a stronger immune system in the future is called the hygiene hypothesis.1 While there is scientific evidence proving that younger children who are exposed to these types of bacteria and viruses are less likely to develop allergies or autoimmune disorders, this concept does not necessarily apply to adults the same way. By the time we are adults, we have already spent many years being exposed to many different types of bacteria and viruses and our body has created a robust immune system to respond to these intruders accordingly.2 Now, this is not to say that our immune systems may not be weakened after the pandemic, but the culprit will not be due to the lack of exposure. So, what is the villain that can make us more susceptible to viruses and bacteria we have always fought off? Stress. This pandemic has created stress for many different reasons, but stress can be a huge hindrance to our immune systems ability to fight off foreign intruders in our body. Stress leads to a decrease in the white blood cells that help to fight off infection as well as producing higher levels of cortisol which can lead to inflammation in large quantities as our body becomes used to it.3 So while our immune systems havent been directly impacted by stay-at-home orders and lockdowns, there is still a large probability it is not operating at 100% just yet. So be sure to continue cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting to take care of your health but also remember to take time to slow down and take care of your mental health as well. As the world opens back up, EMMA International is here to provide full-circle solutions for all aspects of the MedTech industry. Give us a call at 248-987-4497 or email us at info@emmainternational.com to learn more about how EMMA International can take the stress out of quality and regulatory compliance! 1 Mayo Clinic (2021) Hygiene hypothesis:Does early germ exposure prevent asthma? Retrieved on 5/24/2021 from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-asthma/expert-answers/hygiene-hypothesis/faq- 20058102 2 MITMedical (2020) Is all this social distancing weakening our immune systems? Retrieved on 5/25/2021 from: https://medical.mit.edu/covid-19-updates/2020/06/social-distancing-and-immune-system 3 Cleveland Clinic (2017) What Happens When Your Immune SystemGets Stressed Out? Retrieved on 5/25/2021 from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-when-your-immune-system-gets-stressed-out/

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Immune Systems After the COVID-19 Pandemic

  • 1. Immune Systems After the COVID-19 Pandemic By: Katie McCallum Everyone has heard that immune systems weaken when they are sheltered, but is that really the case? As we are now over one year into lockdowns and social distancing, many are becoming concerned that after the pandemic immune systems are going to falter after being isolated for such a long period, and many adults are concerned to resume a normal life due to this. The idea that people who are exposed to more viruses, bacteria, and parasites as young children will lead to them being able to gain a stronger immune system in the future is called the hygiene hypothesis.1 While there is scientific evidence proving that younger children who are exposed to these types of bacteria and viruses are less likely to develop allergies or autoimmune disorders, this concept does not necessarily apply to adults the same way. By the time we are adults, we have already spent many years being exposed to many different types of bacteria and viruses and our body has created a robust immune system to respond to these intruders accordingly.2 Now, this is not to say that our immune systems may not be weakened after the pandemic, but the culprit will not be due to the lack of exposure. So, what is the villain that can make us more susceptible to viruses and bacteria we have always fought off? Stress. This pandemic has created stress for many different reasons, but stress can be a huge hindrance to our immune systems ability to fight off foreign intruders in our body. Stress leads to a decrease in the white blood cells that help to fight off infection as well as producing higher levels of cortisol which can lead to inflammation in large quantities as our body becomes used to it.3 So while our immune systems havent been directly impacted by stay-at-home orders and lockdowns, there is still a large probability it is not operating at 100% just yet. So be sure to continue cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting to take care of your health but also remember to take time to slow down and take care of your mental health as well. As the world opens back up, EMMA International is here to provide full-circle solutions for all aspects of the MedTech industry. Give us a call at 248-987-4497 or email us at info@emmainternational.com to learn more about how EMMA International can take the stress out of quality and regulatory compliance! 1 Mayo Clinic (2021) Hygiene hypothesis:Does early germ exposure prevent asthma? Retrieved on 5/24/2021 from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-asthma/expert-answers/hygiene-hypothesis/faq- 20058102 2 MITMedical (2020) Is all this social distancing weakening our immune systems? Retrieved on 5/25/2021 from: https://medical.mit.edu/covid-19-updates/2020/06/social-distancing-and-immune-system 3 Cleveland Clinic (2017) What Happens When Your Immune SystemGets Stressed Out? Retrieved on 5/25/2021 from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-when-your-immune-system-gets-stressed-out/