Article Title

Psychological Stress and Immune Function

Authors

Allison Rubin

Abstract

Dr. Henry Maudsley said, "The sorrow which has no vent in tears may make other organs weep." The medical community has always acknowledged that psychological stress can affect physical wellbeing, even though the mechanism was not always known. Now we know that this phenomenon is mediated by the body’s response to external stress and a person who does not cope with stress appropriately can experience immunosuppression. This phenomenon is especially important for the already immunosuppressed HIV+ population because life stresses specific to HIV+ people may contribute to disease progression. Furthermore, improving life stress in this population is linked with increased immune function and could be used in preventing disease progression.

Recommended Citation

Rubin, A. (2008). Psychological Stress and Immune Function. Quill & Scope, 1 (1). Retrieved from https://touroscholar.touro.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1032&context=quill_and_scope