Is Being Sick Good for Your Immune System?

We've all been there at one point or another...snuggled up on therncouch or in bed, trying to protect ourselves with the safety of ourrncovers, wishing for the horrible illness plaguing us to just givernup and go away. There are few worse feelings for most people. But did you know that occasionally having a cold or flu is actuallyrngood for you? While this may seem counter-intuitive, being sick once or evenrntwice a year gives your immune system a chance to get in a goodrnworkout. And part of that process is having a fever...which, surprisinglyrnenough, is also a good thing. I discovered this while spending some time working on an audiornrecording project with a well-known Viroimmunologist some yearsrnback. What he told me was very surprising. A fever is typically caused when your body is mounting an immunernresponse to an invading bacteria or virus. A fever is basicallyrnyour immune system trying to heat up your body to make itrninhospitable for the virus or bacteria to reproduce. What he said was that when your body is mounting this response itrnshows that your immune system is working to rid your body of therninvader. Unless the fever reaches a dangerously high level, it is typicallyrnbetter to avoid taking medication and to instead let the bodyrnnaturally do its work. It is important to let your immune system stretch its legs once inrna while. Like any system, a good work out every now and then isrngood for it. He said that it is not such a bad thing to have arnfever once or even twice a year. He went on to say that many people are quick to take Acetaminophenrn(Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil), or even Aspirin to reduce the fever. The problem is that this makes it much more difficult for the immunernsystem to do its job, because the medicine reduces your fever thatrnthe immune system is creating to fight the invader. If people would just let the fever run its course, they wouldrnlikely get better much quicker. Now I am not saying that you shouldn't take medication if you haverna fever. If your temperature gets too high it can be dangerous andrneven kill you. But I would suggest that you do some research and speak with yourrnDoctor or Alternative Health Practitioner. They can best advisernyou on when you should take medication and when waiting a littlernmay be beneficial. It is also important to mention that this does not apply to people who have a compromised immune system, who are on immunosuppressive therapy (such as after an organ transplant), or for children. And of course, as with anything, use your best judgment when following anyone's advice! I know that being sick isn't fun...but it is important. I'm not suggesting that you go out and try to get sick either. Following good hygiene habits, such as washing your hands regularlyrnand not touching your eyes, nose or mouth unless your hands arernclean, are very important. But next time you are laying there wishing that someone would putrnyou out of your misery, remember this...being sick may not feel good,rnbut it really is good for you.