Explain the process of immunosuppression and the effect it has on body systems.

Rheumatoid case study – 1 to 2 pages

Immunosuppression is a medical process that occurs when the body’s immune system is suppressed or weakened either through medicines, treatments, or other means. This weakening of the immune system can leave individuals vulnerable to infections and diseases, especially those caused by bacteria or viruses. Immunosuppression is commonly used to treat autoimmune disorders such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, where the body’s own immune cells attack healthy tissue. It may also be used in organ transplants in order to prevent the donor organ from being rejected.

The primary effect of immunosuppression on body systems is an increased vulnerability to infection. The suppression of the immune system reduces its ability to recognize foreign agents (e.g., bacteria and viruses) as harmful and fight them off before they can cause disease. As a result, patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapies are more prone to developing illnesses than people with healthy immune systems. Such infections may include urinary tract infections (UTIs), respiratory tract infections, fungal skin infections such as athlete’s foot, and candidiasis (oral thrush). Additionally, immunosuppressed individuals are more likely to suffer from complications after receiving vaccinations for certain illnesses due to their reduced immunity toward them

Some medications used for immunosuppression have side effects on other parts of the body including digestive issues such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; neurological symptoms such as headaches; hair loss; high blood pressure; kidney damage; and anemia due to destruction of red blood cells by white blood cells known as leukopenia or neutropenia. Patients taking immunosuppressant drugs should be monitored closely for these side effects which may require further treatment depending on severity

Overall, while it can be beneficial in some cases where an individual has an overactive immune system causing harm internally or threatening rejection of a transplanted organ, immunosuppression carries significant risks in terms of increasing one’s susceptibility towards infectious diseases both at present time and long-term effects resulting from use of associated medications . Thus proper supervision by medical professionals during this period is required so that any undesired outcomes may be avoided or minimized if at all possible.