# Understanding the Immunocompromised: A Deep Dive into Health Risks
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Chapter 1: The Immune System and Personal Experience
Let’s take a moment to delve into who the immunocompromised individuals are.
When I was thirteen, my older sister claimed she saved my life. She attempted an old-fashioned chickenpox inoculation technique by rubbing her open, itchy sores on me. It was a little harsh, to say the least.
“Mom says you need to get chickenpox now to avoid it later. I’m doing this for your own good!” she insisted.
Ah, siblings.
Surprisingly, I didn’t contract chickenpox. Thanks to advancements in medicine, I was vaccinated during my pregnancy with my daughter. My sister's method did, however, work on my other siblings, who broke out in the characteristic itchy spots. That experience was the first indication that my immune system might be different from others.
While my peers faced seasonal coughs and colds, I seemed immune. When half the field hockey team fell ill with mononucleosis, I pondered why I remained healthy after sharing a water bottle with them. Even in college, when my roommates suffered from the flu, I was the one caring for them.
“How come you never get sick?” one of them inquired.
I had no explanation.
During my divorce, however, my health took a turn for the worse. I was hospitalized for weeks due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), marking my introduction to the concept of autoimmune diseases.
Section 1.1: Understanding Autoimmune Diseases
An autoimmune disease occurs when the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues. It’s akin to Don Quixote battling windmills—your immune system misidentifies its own cells as threats. This misfire can lead to a variety of conditions, including multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, type 1 diabetes, and psoriasis, among others.
In recent years, autoimmune diseases have surged. A study involving 14,211 participants aged 12 and older found that antinuclear antibodies (ANA)—a common marker for autoimmunity—have tripled over the last thirty years, especially among adolescents.
Researchers are still investigating the reasons behind this increase. It could result from better reporting of autoimmune diseases or environmental factors affecting our immune responses.
Once diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, one method of managing it is through immunosuppressants—medications that dampen the immune response. When on these drugs, you may receive the label of being "immunocompromised," a term that approximately 2.8% of the population fits into.
Those using immunosuppressants to manage autoimmune diseases are just one group of the immunocompromised; cancer patients, organ transplant recipients, diabetics, and others also fall into this category.
Section 1.2: The Stigma Surrounding Immunocompromised Individuals
Currently, a troubling narrative has emerged that labels immunocompromised individuals as "weak" or "vulnerable."
Let’s consider this more critically.
My resting heart rate typically falls between 50 and 54 beats per minute. My blood pressure hovers around 100/80, and my cholesterol levels would match those of a healthy teenager. Additionally, I maintain a slim physique with lean muscle and can easily run a mile in under 6:30.
Does this sound weak? Hold that thought.
After New Year’s, I contracted Covid from a family member who had been dismissive about the pandemic. Within days, my once-healthy lungs were compromised by pneumonia. My fever soared to 105 degrees, and I struggled to breathe without supplemental oxygen. My blood pressure plummeted to 77/55, despite being vaccinated.
The realization that I might not survive was chilling. I can only describe it as a sensation akin to drowning. In that moment, I even penned a letter to my children before succumbing to my physical decline.
This phenomenon is known as a cytokine storm, which explains why many immunocompromised individuals are succumbing to Covid. During this event, the body releases cytokines—small proteins that orchestrate immune responses—resulting in an overwhelming attack on every cell in the body.
Fortunately, I survived, thanks to the administration of dexamethasone. If I had been hospitalized today, I might not have received this crucial medication, as it is in short supply due to the influx of unvaccinated patients filling hospitals.
I was fortunate, but many immunocompromised individuals may not survive this week.
So when you say things like “everyone will get Covid” or “it’s just like a cold,” it comes off as callous. Not everyone who contracts Covid will make it through, and those who are affected are not weak—they are among the most resilient individuals you will ever encounter.
Instead of perpetuating ignorance with dismissive remarks about “Omicron being no big deal,” take the time to educate yourself on who is truly at risk from Covid. It’s not just the elderly; it includes individuals who might lead longer, healthier lives than those who trivialize the struggles of the immunocompromised.
Chapter 2: The Journey Ahead
8 Things You Should Never Say to Someone with a Chronic Illness
In this section, we’ll explore harmful statements that may seem well-intentioned but can be detrimental to those with chronic illnesses.