Gynecological conditions and HIV / AIDS

October 2005     View PDF     En español

Stress and how it affects your immune system

When people are under stress they may develop more infections, common colds, herpes outbreaks, yeast infections or other diseases. Why does this happen? It’s partly because the chemicals released in your body when you experience stress actually weaken your immune system. As well, the organ that produces important immune cells, called the thymus, becomes damaged.

In other words, both the cells as well as the source for new cells become weakened by these chemicals. Finding ways to ease stress—such as going for a walk, talking about your feelings with a close friend, taking a bath, doing meditation or getting a massage—can help to strengthen your immune system.

The ways that stress affects other parts of our lives can also weaken the immune system. Sometimes when we feel stressed out we also get depressed, don’t eat regularly, don’t sleep well or find it difficult to take care of ourselves on a daily basis. All of these can further weaken your immune system.

Understanding health as it relates to your whole body—and including stress reduction, improved diet, healthful exercise, normal sleep patterns and steps to improve your general well-being—are important. Managing your HIV disease is not just about anti-HIV drugs, viral load and GYN conditions. It’s a broader picture about many parts of your life!