Despite the tremendous research that has been done on the various aspects of stress, investigators have not been able to come to a common ground for the best definition of the stress concept. Given the dynamics of life, human beings often find themselves in stressful circumstances. One such stressful circumstance is in connection to losing a loved one in death, for instance. In such a scenario, the patient’s immunity plays a vital role in ensuring that the patient’s stress levels are brought to manageable levels.
The immune system in a living organism serves as the first line of defense against invading viruses, pathogens, and bacteria. The immune system is made up of myriads of white blood cells; however, in situations of stress, the system is affected. There is maximum production of cortisol which boosts immunity and limits cases of inflammation. When the stressful circumstances go on for a long time, the body tends to get used to too much cortisol production in the body.
When in a stressful situation from a loss, the body is more prone to infections ranging from bacteria or viral causes. At this time, the immunity comes in and tries its best to eliminate infections. The key parts of the immune system that are actively involved in the healing process include antibodies, spleen, lymphatic system, white blood cells, and the complement system (Abbas, 2019). The main players in the immune system, the white blood cells, move through the blood tissues and look for invaders such as parasites, fungi, and viruses. Upon finding them, they launch an immune attack. The immune system sustains the body as it undergoes stress.
Reference
Abbas, A. K., Lichtman, A. H., & Pillai, S. (2019). Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System, 6e: Sae-E-Book. Elsevier India.