7. Frequent Infections: The Unseen Toll on Your Immune System
Experiencing the occasional infection—be it a cold, a sinus infection, or a minor skin condition—is a normal part of life. But in the context of Follicular Lymphoma (FL), frequent infections take on a more ominous meaning.
We’re talking about a recurrent or lingering set of infections that just don’t seem to clear up, no matter how many courses of antibiotics you go through. If you find yourself getting sick more often than usual, and the infections are taking longer to resolve, it’s a symptom that shouldn’t be brushed aside.
The link between frequent infections and FL lies in the immune system. Lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, play a vital role in your body’s ability to fight off infections. FL directly affects these lymphocytes, turning them into cancerous cells that are not only ineffective at combating infection but also crowd out healthy white blood cells.
This double-edged sword not only impairs your body’s defense mechanisms but also creates a favorable environment for opportunistic infections to thrive. This is why FL patients are often stuck in a never-ending cycle of infections that range from mild to severe.
Continually fighting off infections can take a toll on both your physical health and your quality of life. For one, frequent infections can worsen other FL symptoms like fatigue, leading to an even greater sense of malaise.
Furthermore, recurrent infections can serve as a gateway to more severe complications, such as pneumonia or sepsis, particularly if FL has advanced to a later stage. From a lifestyle perspective, frequent illnesses can disrupt your daily routine, forcing you to miss work, social engagements, and family events. Over time, this can lead to increased stress levels, which, in a cruel twist, can further weaken your already compromised immune system. (7)
