Associate Professor, Doctor Le Xuan Hai, Director of the Immuno-Genetics Center, National Institute of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, states that the immune system acts like an army, protecting the body day and night from bacteria, virus, and external harmful agents. However, when the body faces problems, the immune system can send out warning signals that people often overlook.

How can one recognize these signs? Pay attention to the following five signals from your body:

**Frequent minor illnesses, more than three times a year**

If you experience three or four minor illnesses or more within a year, it could be a sign to pay attention to your health and the immune system's protective capabilities.

The immune system can be visualized as a protective army. When the body lacks essential nutrients or sufficient rest, its ability to function normally can be compromised, leaving it unable to fight off even the weakest virus or bacteria. To address this, maintain a balanced diet, supplement with micronutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and copper, and ensure adequate sleep and proper rest. These are crucial conditions for the body to sustain its ability to combat pathogens.

**Slow-healing wounds**

If you accidentally cut your hand, but after about two weeks, the wound shows no signs of healing, or it frequently swells, turns red, or discharges pus, you should pay attention. This could indicate a problem with your body's recovery process.

Imagine the wound healing process like a construction site. When the skin is damaged, the body mobilizes immune cells to control infection risk and provides materials to regenerate tissue and restore the injured area. If there is a deficiency of essential nutrients, this repair process can slow down.

To support faster wound healing, ensure a diet rich in protein, vitamin A, and essential micronutrients, including vitamin C and zinc. Additionally, clean the wound properly and monitor for any unusual signs. If a wound is slow to heal, has spreading redness, increasing pain, or pus discharge, seek medical attention to determine the cause and receive timely treatment.

Even small wounds that heal slowly warrant attention. Illustration: Firstaidpro

**Unexplained fatigue**

If you consistently sleep for about eight hours each night but still wake up feeling sluggish and lacking energy, this condition may indicate an underlying health issue. One potential cause is prolonged inflammation or infection.

In some cases, chronic inflammation can occur subtly, without obvious symptoms, yet still impact health and cause persistent fatigue. Other factors like anemia, thyroid disorders, prolonged stress, or poor sleep quality can also contribute to fatigue.

To help the body recover, reduce excessive sugar intake, increase consumption of green vegetables and nutrient-rich foods, maintain regular sleep and wake times, and ensure sufficient sleep. Adopting a bedtime before 11 p.m. can help stabilize circadian rhythms if it aligns with your daily routine. These changes support overall health and normal immune function. If fatigue persists despite adequate rest, consult a doctor to identify the cause.

**Digestive disorders**

If you frequently experience bloating, constipation, or diarrhea, you should pay attention to your gut health. These could be signs of digestive system problems, including an imbalance in gut microbiota. The gut also hosts a large number of immune cells, playing a critical role in protecting the body from pathogens. Therefore, gut health is closely linked to immune system activity.

To improve this condition, first, adjust your diet to be more balanced and healthy. Incorporate fermented foods containing beneficial bacteria, such as yogurt and kimchi, and increase fiber intake from green vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to support gut microbiota. Additionally, limit fast food, processed foods, and excessive added sugar.

Probiotic supplements may also be beneficial in some cases, but their effectiveness depends on the microbial strain and individual circumstances. Avoid self-prescribing digestive enzymes or prolonged use of supplements without understanding the underlying cause. If digestive disorders are frequent, prolonged, or accompanied by unusual symptoms, seek medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment.

**Unusual allergic reactions**

If you suddenly develop symptoms like red rashes, itchy skin, or hives without noticeable changes in your diet or lifestyle, monitor these signs carefully. These could be manifestations of an allergic reaction, which occurs when the immune system overreacts to substances that are harmless to most people. However, not all cases of rashes, itching, or hives are due to a weakened immune system.

This phenomenon can be likened to a fire alarm system in a house. Instead of only signaling during an actual fire, the system becomes overly sensitive, constantly sounding alarms even for non-hazardous triggers.

Similarly, in an allergic reaction, the immune system may mistakenly identify certain harmless substances as threats and trigger an inflammatory response.

To reduce unusual symptoms, identify potential allergens, maintain a balanced lifestyle, and manage stress. Additionally, incorporate omega-3 rich foods like salmon, mackerel, chia seeds, and flaxseeds into a balanced diet. Omega-3s play a role in regulating inflammatory responses but cannot replace identifying and treating the cause of allergies.

If allergic reactions recur frequently, consult a doctor to identify the causative agents and receive appropriate management. Especially, if you experience shortness of breath, tongue swelling, or throat swelling, seek emergency medical care immediately, as these could be signs of anaphylaxis.

Thuy Quynh