"I Sleep Well, Eat Healthy, and Exercise. So Why Am I Always Getting Sick?" - Jacqueline Andriakos
It is possible that some people have naturally stronger immune systems than others. Some individuals are thought to be especially resistant to certain bacterial and viral infections. Your immunity is determined by several factors. Genetics play a large role, said Paolo Bofetta, MD, professor of hematology and medical oncology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "Immunological genes are many and complex, and your immune response depends on their combined performance," Dr. Boffetta explained. Experts also believe that you build up immunity while you are young, or possibly even before you are born. "There are factors during infancy and childhood, and perhaps also in utero, that contribute to the development of the immune system, but they are not fully understood," said Dr. Boffetta. What's more, environmental factors, such as pollutants and toxins, may also weaken your immune system over time.
- Paolo Boffetta, MD, Professor, Hematology, Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai