Symptom 8: Recurring Infections
Imagine a fortress. Strong, formidable, and nearly impregnable. That’s our immune system, designed to fend off invaders. Yet, ALPS, with its intricate weave of complexities, can turn this fortress into a structure with vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities can lead to recurrent infections, where the body becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, viruses, and fungi more often than one would expect.
Recurrent infections are not just the common cold that visits now and then. These infections strike with a frequency that raises eyebrows. It could manifest as respiratory infections that refuse to budge, skin conditions that flare up repeatedly, or gastrointestinal disturbances that become an unwelcome regular. Moreover, these infections tend to linger longer than they would in a person with a robust immune system.
So, why does ALPS set the stage for this increased susceptibility? ALPS can cause certain immune cells to multiply in an uncontrolled manner. While these cells increase in number, they might not function optimally. Think of it as having an army with large numbers, but many of the soldiers are untrained. They’re present but not necessarily effective against threats. (7)