Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIs It Immune System Related?Asthma vs. AutoimmunityRisks for Immune IssuesImproving Immune HealthFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Is It Immune System Related?
Asthma vs. Autoimmunity
Risks for Immune Issues
Improving Immune Health
Frequently Asked Questions
This article explores the immune system response in asthma, how it’s different from autoimmunity, the relationship between asthma and autoimmune disease, and how to improve your immune function when you have asthma.
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Is Asthma a Problem of the Immune System?
When your immune system sends out cytokines to protect you, an inflammatory response is started. At this time, blood vessels expand, which allows immune cells to arrive at the site of the pathogen or where damage has occurred. Inflammation is part of the immune response aimed to rid the body of harmful invaders.
However, when an immune response is erroneously triggered when not needed—as it is in asthma—inflammation can cause unwanted effects.In asthma, the immune system reacts to triggers in your environment that shouldn’t bother it or shouldn’t cause such a large response.
About 80% of people with asthma haveallergic asthma.Allergiesare also a type of abnormal immune response in which the immune system reacts to normally harmless substances (allergens).
Nonallergic asthma triggers can include:
Chronic Inflammation
When you have asthma, you always have at least some inflammation in your airways. This makes them hyperresponsive, meaning they’re extrasensitive to triggers.
Then, when you’re exposed to triggers, the immune response directly causes an asthma attack, which leads to:
That leads to classicasthma symptoms, which are:
You may have other symptoms as well, depending on the type of asthma you have.
What Type of Asthma Do You Have?
Asthma Is Different From Autoimmunity
Asthma and autoimmunity both involve an inappropriate response from the immune system. However, the type of response is different.
Individual autoimmune diseases each tend to target a different type of tissue, cell, or other substance in the body. For example:
The immune system activation causes inflammation, as in asthma, but it also damages the area of the body targeted. This causessymptomssuch as:
More than 80 autoimmune diseases have been identified, each with its own target(s).
Asthma vs. AutoimmunityAsthmaImmune system attacks harmless foreign substancesSymptoms are generally confined to the respiratory systemPrimarily treated with inhaled medicationsAbout 10 typesAutoimmunityImmune system attacks a healthy part of the bodySymptoms may be systemic (fatigue, fever) and/or specific to the target (joints, glands)Primarily treated with immunosupressantsMore than 80 types
AsthmaImmune system attacks harmless foreign substancesSymptoms are generally confined to the respiratory systemPrimarily treated with inhaled medicationsAbout 10 types
Immune system attacks harmless foreign substances
Symptoms are generally confined to the respiratory system
Primarily treated with inhaled medications
About 10 types
AutoimmunityImmune system attacks a healthy part of the bodySymptoms may be systemic (fatigue, fever) and/or specific to the target (joints, glands)Primarily treated with immunosupressantsMore than 80 types
Immune system attacks a healthy part of the body
Symptoms may be systemic (fatigue, fever) and/or specific to the target (joints, glands)
Primarily treated with immunosupressants
More than 80 types
Is Some Asthma Autoimmune?
Some research appears to suggest that nonallergic asthma (also called intrinsic asthma) may involve an autoimmune process.However, it’s too early for any conclusions to be reached.
It’s an important line of research, though. Intrinsic asthma is notoriously difficult to treat. Identifying an autoimmune component could expand the scope of treatments for intrinsic asthma to help with disease management.
How Autoimmune Disease Is Treated
Asthma Increases Risk of Immune Issues
The immune dysfunction of asthma may also predispose you to infections, especially viral ones. That’s because, when you have asthma, the epithelial cells that line your lungs cannot produce some types of interferon, a protein necessary for fighting off viral infections.
Respiratory infections are more common due to chronic inflammation, which allows pathogens to get into the respiratory system. However, that can’t explain a higher rate of other infections like:
The reason for this higher rate of infection is up for debate. But some researchers suspect it may have to do with the immune system’s “memory.”
When your immune system identifies a pathogen, it must figure out how to fight it. Part of the response is producingantibodies, which are specialized proteins that can attach to and lead to the destruction of a particular pathogen.
The next time the pathogen enters your body, your immune system will remember it and produce the proper antibodies to fight it much more quickly.
However, in some people with asthma, the immune system may not recognize pathogens that harmed the body in the past.The reasons why the immune system fails at recognizing and fighting pathogens are not fully understood and are an area of ongoing research.
Asthma also increases your risk of developing certain illnesses and of developing severe symptoms. These include:
The added risk is likely due to asthma-related lung damage or weakened lung tissues.
Co-Occurring Asthma in Autoimmune Diseases
Having one type of immune system dysfunction may lead to other types. Studies have found that people with asthma have higher incidences of certain autoimmune diseases, including:
This link isn’t fully understood, and research is ongoing.
Prevalence of AsthmaAbout 25 million people in the United States have asthma. That’s about 1 in 13 people.
Prevalence of Asthma
About 25 million people in the United States have asthma. That’s about 1 in 13 people.
Improving Immune Health With Asthma
To prevent infectious illnesses:
Maintaining a Strong Immune System
Effect of Asthma Medication on Immunity
Inhaledcorticosteroids(ICS) are a common medication for people with asthma. They lower the population of immune-system cells involved in the condition.
However, this means they’re suppressing your immune system. In most cases, though, they only have this suppressing effect in the lungs—which is precisely what makes them effective against asthma.
Corticosteroids taken for a long time can be harmful and may increase your risk of:
On the other hand, steroids may protect you from some respiratory infections.Risks and benefits should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
If you’re on high doses of inhaled corticosteroids for a long time, it’s possible that a small amount of the drug may get past your lungs and into the rest of your body. It may then have a mild effect on your entire immune system.
Let your healthcare provider know if you notice possible side effects of immunosuppression while using inhaled corticosteroids.
Summary
Asthma involves an immune system that overreacts to normally harmless substances in your environment. Autoimmune diseases involve immune-system attacks on a healthy part of your body, such as joints, organs, or glands.
Having asthma can increase your risk of illnesses related to the immune system, including infectious diseases like the flu and COVID-19.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAsthma is a chronic respiratory disease that involves immune-system dysfunction.Learn More8 Common Respiratory DiseasesAsthma affects several organs and structures in your respiratory system, including:LungsBronchial tubes (airways)Muscles of the airwaysTrachea (tube connecting your throat and lungs)Pharynx (throat)Larynx (voice box)Learn MoreHow Your Lungs WorkViral illnesses are the triggers of a vast majority of asthma attacks.Learn MoreIdentifying Lower Respiratory Infections
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that involves immune-system dysfunction.Learn More8 Common Respiratory Diseases
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that involves immune-system dysfunction.
Learn More8 Common Respiratory Diseases
Asthma affects several organs and structures in your respiratory system, including:LungsBronchial tubes (airways)Muscles of the airwaysTrachea (tube connecting your throat and lungs)Pharynx (throat)Larynx (voice box)Learn MoreHow Your Lungs Work
Asthma affects several organs and structures in your respiratory system, including:LungsBronchial tubes (airways)Muscles of the airwaysTrachea (tube connecting your throat and lungs)Pharynx (throat)Larynx (voice box)
Asthma affects several organs and structures in your respiratory system, including:
Learn MoreHow Your Lungs Work
Viral illnesses are the triggers of a vast majority of asthma attacks.Learn MoreIdentifying Lower Respiratory Infections
Viral illnesses are the triggers of a vast majority of asthma attacks.
Learn MoreIdentifying Lower Respiratory Infections
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lambrecht BN, Hammad H, Fahy JV.The cytokines of asthma.Immunity. 2019;50(4):975-991. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2019.03.018InformedHealth.org.How does the immune system work?Baos S, Calzada D, Cremades-Jimeno L, et al.Nonallergic asthma and its severity: Biomarkers for its discrimination in peripheral samples.Front Immunol. 2018;9:1416. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.01416MedlinePlus.Autoimmune diseases.Johns Hopkins Medicine.What are common symptoms of autoimmune disease?Mukherjee M, Nair P.Autoimmune responses in severe asthma.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2018;10(5):428-447. doi:10.4168/aair.2018.10.5.428Sabroe I, Postma D, Heijink I, Dockrell DH.The yin and the yang of immunosuppression with inhaled corticosteroids.Thorax. 2013;68(12):1085-1087. doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-203773Juhn YJ.Risks for infection in patients with asthma (or other atopic conditions): is asthma more than a chronic airway disease?.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;134(2):247-257. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2014.04.024Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Flu (influenza).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19: asthma.Skappak C, Ilarraza R, Wu YQ, Drake MG, Adamko DJ.Virus-induced asthma attack: the importance of allergic inflammation in response to viral antigen in an animal model of asthma.PLoS One. 2017;12(7):e0181425. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181425National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Bronchitis.American Lung Association.Pneumonia and asthma… why should I worry?Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Asthma facts and figures.Asthma and Lung UK.Chest infections and asthma.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits to enhance immunity.Asthma.net.Do inhaled corticosteroids suppress your immune system?National Institutes of Health, National Center for Biotechnology Information: StatPearls.Pathophysiology of asthma.Adeli M, El-Shareif T, Hendaus MA.Asthma exacerbation related to viral infections: An up to date summary.J Family Med Prim Care. 2019;8(9):2753-2759. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_86_19Additional ReadingAmerican Lung Association.How asthma affects your body.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Asthma.
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lambrecht BN, Hammad H, Fahy JV.The cytokines of asthma.Immunity. 2019;50(4):975-991. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2019.03.018InformedHealth.org.How does the immune system work?Baos S, Calzada D, Cremades-Jimeno L, et al.Nonallergic asthma and its severity: Biomarkers for its discrimination in peripheral samples.Front Immunol. 2018;9:1416. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.01416MedlinePlus.Autoimmune diseases.Johns Hopkins Medicine.What are common symptoms of autoimmune disease?Mukherjee M, Nair P.Autoimmune responses in severe asthma.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2018;10(5):428-447. doi:10.4168/aair.2018.10.5.428Sabroe I, Postma D, Heijink I, Dockrell DH.The yin and the yang of immunosuppression with inhaled corticosteroids.Thorax. 2013;68(12):1085-1087. doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-203773Juhn YJ.Risks for infection in patients with asthma (or other atopic conditions): is asthma more than a chronic airway disease?.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;134(2):247-257. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2014.04.024Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Flu (influenza).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19: asthma.Skappak C, Ilarraza R, Wu YQ, Drake MG, Adamko DJ.Virus-induced asthma attack: the importance of allergic inflammation in response to viral antigen in an animal model of asthma.PLoS One. 2017;12(7):e0181425. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181425National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Bronchitis.American Lung Association.Pneumonia and asthma… why should I worry?Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Asthma facts and figures.Asthma and Lung UK.Chest infections and asthma.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits to enhance immunity.Asthma.net.Do inhaled corticosteroids suppress your immune system?National Institutes of Health, National Center for Biotechnology Information: StatPearls.Pathophysiology of asthma.Adeli M, El-Shareif T, Hendaus MA.Asthma exacerbation related to viral infections: An up to date summary.J Family Med Prim Care. 2019;8(9):2753-2759. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_86_19Additional ReadingAmerican Lung Association.How asthma affects your body.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Asthma.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lambrecht BN, Hammad H, Fahy JV.The cytokines of asthma.Immunity. 2019;50(4):975-991. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2019.03.018InformedHealth.org.How does the immune system work?Baos S, Calzada D, Cremades-Jimeno L, et al.Nonallergic asthma and its severity: Biomarkers for its discrimination in peripheral samples.Front Immunol. 2018;9:1416. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.01416MedlinePlus.Autoimmune diseases.Johns Hopkins Medicine.What are common symptoms of autoimmune disease?Mukherjee M, Nair P.Autoimmune responses in severe asthma.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2018;10(5):428-447. doi:10.4168/aair.2018.10.5.428Sabroe I, Postma D, Heijink I, Dockrell DH.The yin and the yang of immunosuppression with inhaled corticosteroids.Thorax. 2013;68(12):1085-1087. doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-203773Juhn YJ.Risks for infection in patients with asthma (or other atopic conditions): is asthma more than a chronic airway disease?.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;134(2):247-257. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2014.04.024Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Flu (influenza).Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19: asthma.Skappak C, Ilarraza R, Wu YQ, Drake MG, Adamko DJ.Virus-induced asthma attack: the importance of allergic inflammation in response to viral antigen in an animal model of asthma.PLoS One. 2017;12(7):e0181425. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181425National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Bronchitis.American Lung Association.Pneumonia and asthma… why should I worry?Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Asthma facts and figures.Asthma and Lung UK.Chest infections and asthma.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits to enhance immunity.Asthma.net.Do inhaled corticosteroids suppress your immune system?National Institutes of Health, National Center for Biotechnology Information: StatPearls.Pathophysiology of asthma.Adeli M, El-Shareif T, Hendaus MA.Asthma exacerbation related to viral infections: An up to date summary.J Family Med Prim Care. 2019;8(9):2753-2759. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_86_19
Lambrecht BN, Hammad H, Fahy JV.The cytokines of asthma.Immunity. 2019;50(4):975-991. doi:10.1016/j.immuni.2019.03.018
InformedHealth.org.How does the immune system work?
Baos S, Calzada D, Cremades-Jimeno L, et al.Nonallergic asthma and its severity: Biomarkers for its discrimination in peripheral samples.Front Immunol. 2018;9:1416. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.01416
MedlinePlus.Autoimmune diseases.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.What are common symptoms of autoimmune disease?
Mukherjee M, Nair P.Autoimmune responses in severe asthma.Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2018;10(5):428-447. doi:10.4168/aair.2018.10.5.428
Sabroe I, Postma D, Heijink I, Dockrell DH.The yin and the yang of immunosuppression with inhaled corticosteroids.Thorax. 2013;68(12):1085-1087. doi:10.1136/thoraxjnl-2013-203773
Juhn YJ.Risks for infection in patients with asthma (or other atopic conditions): is asthma more than a chronic airway disease?.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2014;134(2):247-257. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2014.04.024
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Flu (influenza).
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19: asthma.
Skappak C, Ilarraza R, Wu YQ, Drake MG, Adamko DJ.Virus-induced asthma attack: the importance of allergic inflammation in response to viral antigen in an animal model of asthma.PLoS One. 2017;12(7):e0181425. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181425
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.Bronchitis.
American Lung Association.Pneumonia and asthma… why should I worry?
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Asthma facts and figures.
Asthma and Lung UK.Chest infections and asthma.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits to enhance immunity.
Asthma.net.Do inhaled corticosteroids suppress your immune system?
National Institutes of Health, National Center for Biotechnology Information: StatPearls.Pathophysiology of asthma.
Adeli M, El-Shareif T, Hendaus MA.Asthma exacerbation related to viral infections: An up to date summary.J Family Med Prim Care. 2019;8(9):2753-2759. doi:10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_86_19
American Lung Association.How asthma affects your body.National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Asthma.
American Lung Association.How asthma affects your body.
National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Asthma.
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