Have you ever heard someone say, ‘I’m so healthy I never get sick.’?
Let’s talk a little bit more about this because a person who never gets sick isn’t necessarily a good thing. Sometimes what can be happening when a person never gets sick is an infection can be coming into the body and the immune system is not mounting a response to that infectious agent, so we have no symptoms. Infectious agents can be coming the body and can be causing problems within the body that we aren’t aware of, or they can be coming into the body and staying dormant and won’t express themselves until years later, often called stealth infections, can be causing low-grade infections within the body leading to problems down the road.
So sometimes what can be happening is that infections can be coming into the body, and the immune system is not working effectively, so it doesn’t mount that response, then our systems are overtime becoming weaker. Therefore sometimes it is not a good thing when a person says that they are so healthy they never get sick.
What is actually a healthy response is if you come across an infectious agent and you get a little bit of sniffles and a bit of a sore throat, maybe for a short period of time, then your immune system mounts its response and that infection is completely gone. So your body has responded but you haven’t ended up with a full blown cold or you haven’t been laid out sick for a number of days or weeks. So this would be a sign of a healthy immune response, but a person who doesn’t get sick at all is not necessarily a healthy response. There is potential that their immune system is suppressed and you are actually ending up with a low-grade infections in the body or stealth infections which may show up years down the line.
This is something that I will often explain in my clinic because I will have patients that will be diagnosed with a chronic disease like cancer and they will say that ‘they are so surprised that I have cancer because I NEVER get sick. I’m the person who never gets colds or flus, so I’m surprised that I ended up with cancer, because I am typically the healthy person when a cold is going around.’
FAQs
So your body has responded but you haven't ended up with a full blown cold or you haven't been laid out sick for a number of days or weeks. So this would be a sign of a healthy immune response, but a person who doesn't get sick at all is not necessarily a healthy response.
Is it true that if you are not sick you are healthy? ›
According to the World Health Organization's definition of health, being healthy is not merely the absence of sickness or disease. 2. The WHO defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just the absence of illness.
Is it true that health is all about not being sick? ›
Conclusions. 'Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity' (WHO, 1948: 100).
What would happen if you never got sick? ›
Those infectious, chronic or mental conditions that disrupt our bodies and that we identify by specific symptoms would vanish. If we never got sick, would we still die? Yep.
Does getting sick often mean you're unhealthy? ›
Keep in mind that if you seem to get sick often, you are not necessarily unhealthy. You may instead be more susceptible to illnesses than others.
Is it OK to never get sick? ›
So your body has responded but you haven't ended up with a full blown cold or you haven't been laid out sick for a number of days or weeks. So this would be a sign of a healthy immune response, but a person who doesn't get sick at all is not necessarily a healthy response.
Why do some unhealthy people never get sick? ›
“Some of us inherit a set of immune system genes that are particularly good at dealing with one particular virus,” explains Daniel Davis, professor of immunology at the University of Manchester and author of The Compatibility Gene, which explores how immune system genes shape our biology.
Does getting sick often build the immune system? ›
Our immune systems are often said to have memory, meaning that if an individual has previously been exposed to an infectious bug, such as a virus, specialised immune cells that remember what it looks like will continue to circulate in the blood and body fluids, ready to trigger a rapid immune response should they ...
What is the hygiene hypothesis debunked? ›
The idea that homes can be made “sterile” through excessive cleanliness is implausible, and the evidence shows that after cleaning, microbes are quickly replaced by dust and air from outdoors, by shedding from the body and other living things, as well as from food.
How to avoid getting sick? ›
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs can be spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Signs of a strong immune system
People with a strong immune system are more likely to recover quickly from an injury or illness, feel less fatigue and have good gut health.
How often does the average person get sick? ›
Adults average about 2 to 4 colds a year, although the range varies widely. Women, especially those aged 20 to 30 years, have more colds than men, possibly because of their closer contact with children. On average, people older than age 60 have fewer than one cold a year.
At what age does the immune system decline? ›
The resilience built in youth gradually depletes until around 50 years of age, when the risk of infection and more serious outcomes starts to become more and more obvious.
Why am I always sick and never get better? ›
“Prolonged stress is the No. 1 reason people start getting sick more than usual,” Dr. Vyas says. Chronic stress reduces your body's ability to fight off illnesses.
Are you healthier after getting sick? ›
In fact, a person who gets sick 1-2 times a year is likely to be more healthy than someone who can't remember the last time they got sick. Why? Here's the short answer: it's a way for your body to utilize its immune system and fine tune it to work optimally.
What are the symptoms of a weak immune system? ›
Frequent and recurrent pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, ear infections, meningitis or skin infections. Inflammation and infection of internal organs. Blood disorders, such as low platelet count or anemia. Digestive problems, such as cramping, loss of appetite, nausea and diarrhea.
Can you tell if you are healthy? ›
Your body can tell you a lot about your state of health. The state of your nails, skin, eyes and hair provides great feedback on your well-being, indicating signs of vitamin and mineral deficiencies and can sometimes even reflect poor organ health. Do you pass a personal WOF? Keep an eye on the following outward signs.
How can I be healthy and not sick? ›
Be diligent and frequently wash with soap and water, and/or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Don't forget to wash around the nails and the backs of hands. Make sure you wash before cooking and eating, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, and after using the restroom.
Can a person be healthy but not well? ›
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Can you think yourself healthy? ›
manage to heal yourself, might have more to do with your mind than you think! relaxation response, counteract the stress response and result in physiological changes, leading to better health. ▶ The body is a mirror of how we live our lives.
