4. Weak Immune Function
The immune system is the only thing keeping us from being over-run by disease. When the brain notices an invading pathogen – such as bacteria or viruses that cause a middle ear infection, it signals the immune system to create white blood cells and antibodies to kill the disease.
At the same time the hypothalamus orders the creation of pyrogens – enzymes that increase the body’s setpoint temperature. The pyrogens attach to the nerve endings in the body, turning up the heat to kill the bacteria or virus responsible for the infection.
However, people with a weakened immune function may not be able to muster an effective immune response, resulting in a severe otitis media infection. As a result, they cannot fight off the disease and require medical assistance with antibiotics to recover.
Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment may risk a diminished immune system, as well as people suffering from an autoimmune disease – a condition where the body mistakenly attacks healthy cells thinking that they are pathogens.