## What are the threats to your immunity? Your age is the first factor that affects the strength of your immune system. As you grow older, the lymphocyte count drops. This is exactly why older people get infected more often, get sick for a longer period, take longer to recover, and have complications more often than younger individuals. Daily habits also affect the immune system. Alcohol abuse, smoking, poor diet, lack of physical activity, poor sleep, and bad ecology will all weaken the immune system. A person who gets frequent colds does not necessarily have a weak immune system. For example, when children adapt to a kindergarten classroom, they can catch a cold 12–15 times a year, but this is not a reason to worry. ## What should keep you on alert? If you get sicker than you did in the past when ===responding to seasonal infections, it can be a good idea to consult with an immunologist. Those who previously recovered in 5–7 days but now have a cold for two weeks should check their immune system. Other alarming symptoms may include skin rashes, swelling, and frequent herpes infections. Hair loss, brittle nails, unexpected allergic reactions, and general fatigue can also be signs of a weak immune system. ## How to check your immunity The diagnostics start with a complete blood count. If your leukocyte count has changed, the doctor will most likely send you for first-level immunological tests. This is known as an immunogram, which is a special blood test that analyzes the humoral and cellular links of the immune system and the phagocytic activity of cells. At this stage, it is possible to evaluate most general indicators that show primary immune system disorders. If these are detected, the doctor will send you for second-level immunological tests (regulators and mediators of immunity—interleukins, components of the complement system, and interferon status test), used for diagnostics of immune disorders. ## What to do if the diagnosis is confirmed __First of all, don't panic.__ In most cases, the causes for weak immunity are fairly minor, such as having recovered from heavy contagious disease, bacterial infection, untreated diseases, hidden inflammations, autoimmune disorders, poor diet, or poor habits. All of these disorders are quite easy to correct. __Don't take any measures__ before discussing the results of your tests with a physician. __Don't self-medicate yourself with immunomodulators, herbal infusions,__ vitamin complexes, and homeopathic medicine that allegedly strengthen immunity. Additionally, it is not advisable to go on a detox diet or do therapeutic fasting. Most immune-deficient conditions can be treated without any issues using replacement therapy and immunocorrection therapy.