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What does it mean to be immunosuppressed?
Also called immunocompromised.
Having a weakened immune system. People who are immunosuppressed have a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases. Basically means your immune system isn't working properly. This may be caused by certain diseases or conditions, such as AIDS, cancer, diabetes, malnutrition, and certain genetic disorders.
It may also be caused by certain medicines or treatments, such as anticancer drugs, radiation therapy, and stem cell or organ transplant.
When this system is not working as it should, we are more vulnerable to infection. You are more likely to need to see a doctor, more likely to need antibiotics and more likely to land up in hospital for treatment if you develop an infection, than someone who is not immunosuppressed.