The COVID-19 pandemic may be over, but our immune systems are still feeling the impact. After years of battling constant viral threats, from COVID-19 to seasonal flu and other infections, our body’s defense system is exhausted. Many people continue to experience lingering inflammation, frequent illnesses, and slower recovery times. This extended state of immune stress has compromised us further to chronic illness, including autoimmune diseases and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's. So why is our immune system still in trouble? And how do we give it its power back? Understanding immune exhaustion is the beginning of rebuilding our body's natural immunity.

A weakened immune system makes people more susceptible to disease, mental illnesses, and even sleep disorders. Now, new research indicates that immune system depletion may play an important role in the onset of Parkinson's disease, a degenerative neurologic disorder that compromises movement and cognition.

Role of Inflammation in Parkinson's Disease

Dysfunctional immune response is a leading cause of long-standing inflammation within the body, that has been found to contribute towards a multitude of conditions, including cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, depression, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

As people age, their immune system naturally becomes less effective. This deterioration, referred to as immune exhaustion, may be a key contributor to the onset and progression of Parkinson’s disease. Rebecca Wallings, a Parkinson’s Foundation Launch Award grant recipient and senior postdoctoral fellow at the University of Florida, believes that an accumulation of exhausted immune cells could be driving neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s patients.

How a Tired Immune System Might Affect Parkinson's?

Parkinson's disease is most commonly linked with the degeneration and loss of dopaminergic neurons—motor nerve cells that produce dopamine, an essential neurotransmitter for movement. While researchers have long suspected inflammation is involved in this neurodegeneration, the mechanisms are not yet well understood.

Wallings' study is on immune cell exhaustion, a process by which aging immune cells fail to control immune responses effectively. Her research indicates that instead of dampening inflammation in Parkinson's patients, attempts should be made to rejuvenate the immune system to regain its functionality.

Energy Deficiency in Immune Cells

One of the major findings of Wallings' work is the function of mitochondrial impairment in immune cell exhaustion. Mitochondria are commonly called the powerhouses of cells, as they are vital for generating energy. As mitochondria age and become inefficient, immune cells fail to function well, potentially accelerating neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease.

Wallings has found that mutations in the LRRK2 gene, a recognized genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease, are linked with defective mitochondrial function and immune cell exhaustion. Her current work includes testing various therapeutic approaches to restore mitochondrial function in immune cells with the potential to enhance the immune system and potentially prevent or treat Parkinson's disease.

Will Rejuvenating the Immune System Help in Treatment?

For decades, the standard practice in treating Parkinson's has been to suppress brain inflammation. Yet Wallings' work indicates that instead of slowing down immune responses, restoring the immune system could be a more successful strategy. By addressing mitochondrial impairment and immune resilience, researchers can potentially reverse or slow down Parkinson's disease.

Wallings is now looking into how to rejuvenate immune cells by fixing mitochondria. She studies immune cells from patients with Parkinson's as well as from healthy subjects and performs experiments on animal models to determine if rejuvenation of the immune system could result in improved disease outcomes.

Lifestyle Factors That May Affect Parkinson's Risk

While there is no cure for Parkinson's disease, some lifestyle adjustments may decrease the chances of developing the illness. Since neurodegenerative diseases are associated with chronic inflammation and immune dysfunction, developing habits that enhance immune function might prove helpful.

Diet: There is evidence to suggest that eating in accordance with the Mediterranean or MIND diets, both high in antioxidants, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory foods, can encourage brain wellness and reduce Parkinson's risk.

Avoiding Dangerous Substances: Restricting alcohol and nicotine use can maintain a robust immune system and suppress inflammation.

Reducing Stress: Chronic stress weakens immune function, so methods such as meditation, exercise, and sufficient sleep can lead to improved overall well-being.

The monsoon brings welcome relief from the heat, but it also creates conditions that make infections spread more easily among children. Parents should understand that a few common household mistakes can increase the risk of illness in children during this time of year. So, parents must exercise caution and take utmost care of their children during those rainy days.

Why Monsoon Raises Infection Risk in Children

The arrival of the monsoon often means more time spent indoors for children, muddier surroundings, and increased exposure to germs. So, the main focus of parents is on protecting their children from rain and cold weather. However, parents must understand that certain everyday habits at home may unknowingly increase the risk of respiratory infections, stomach illnesses, and mosquito-borne diseases.

Common Mistakes Of Infections In Children

So, many children can get drenched during those heavy rains and remain in wet clothes or footwear for long periods after returning from school or outdoor activities. Damp socks and shoes can create an environment where germs and fungal infections thrive. Parents should ensure that children change into dry clothes and footwear as soon as possible. Moreover, stagnant water collected in flower pots, buckets, coolers, balconies, and outdoor containers can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, raising the chances of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya in children.

Many families keep doors and windows closed throughout the day to prevent rainwater from entering the house. However, limited air circulation can lead to the growth of mold, dampness, and indoor allergens, which may trigger respiratory infections, coughing, wheezing, and allergies in children. Even having uncovered food, improperly stored leftovers, or contaminated water can increase the risk of stomach infections, diarrhea, vomiting, and food poisoning in children.

Tips Parents Should Follow During the Monsoon

Parents should ensure that the child changes wet clothes, socks, and shoes immediately after returning home. Parents should empty and clean containers that can collect stagnant water from time to time. Use mosquito nets, screens, and child-safe mosquito repellents to prevent mosquito bites. Keep rooms well ventilated whenever the weather permits. The child should follow good hand and personal hygiene, eat freshly cooked food, and drink safe drinking water.

The parents should ensure to wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consumption. The child should eat a nutritious diet, sleep well, and stay hydrated to boost immunity and prevent any illness. Parents should seek immediate help if the child is having any symptoms, such as a cough or allergies, and follow the expert's guidelines. Parents should not give any medication to the child on their own without the doctor's knowledge. So, parents should stay alert during the monsoon and help the child stay healthy.

Billionaire entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, known for meticulously tracking his health and pursuing longevity, recently revealed that he has been diagnosed with Autoimmune Gastritis, an incurable autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system attacks the stomach lining.

Describing the disease on social media platform X, Johnson said: "My stomach is eating itself." He also noted that despite undergoing extensive medical evaluations over the years, the condition went undetected because autoimmune diseases often develop quietly, with symptoms that can easily be mistaken for everyday health issues such as fatigue or digestive discomfort.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own healthy cells and tissues, triggering inflammation and damage to organs or other body systems.

The burden of these conditions is significant. In May 2025, researchers from the Mayo Clinic and collaborating institutions estimated that nearly 15 million Americans are living with one or more of 105 recognized autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms Can Be Easy to Miss

Because autoimmune diseases often begin with vague, non-specific symptoms, they can remain undiagnosed for months—or even years.

Dr. Cory Rice, a US-based Functional Medicine physician, said these warning signs frequently go unnoticed until the disease has progressed.

"First and foremost, symptoms of autoimmune disease can come and go, and be on and off, or they can be more persistent in nature," he told Newsweek.

Also read: Paxlovid Safe for Children Aged 6 And Older, New Study Finds

The Hidden Signs You Shouldn't Ignore

While symptoms vary depending on the various autoimmune conditions, several early warning signs are shared across many autoimmune diseases.

According to Dr. Rice, common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Low-grade fever
• Joint pain
• Unexplained rashes or hives
• Dry eyes and dry mouth
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Mouth ulcers
• Increased sensitivity to cold temperatures

He said when people suffer from fatigue, "it is usually both profound and debilitating."

Dr. Rice explained that many people try to manage this overwhelming exhaustion by relying on caffeine and other stimulants, taking thyroid medications or hormone treatments, or opting for therapies such as intravenous infusions and vitamin B12 injections.

However, when an underlying autoimmune disease is responsible, these approaches often fail to provide lasting relief.

Read More: Can Arsenic, Lead and Other Metals In Tampons Pose A Health Risk? FDA Says No

Why Autoimmune Diseases Are Often Diagnosed Late

One of the biggest challenges in diagnosing autoimmune diseases is that their symptoms overlap with those of many other medical conditions.

Johnson also said that "2-5 per cent of people have this (autoimmune disease). Likely more, because it hides".

Symptoms may also appear intermittently before becoming more persistent.

"It all depends on the disease process in play and the severity or progression of the disease itself in a particular person as to whether symptoms are more constant or intermittent," Rice said.

He added that many primary care physicians are not routinely trained to identify autoimmune diseases in their early stages. As a result, patients are frequently referred to specialists, including rheumatologists, only after symptoms have become more pronounced.

"Unfortunately, by this point, the autoimmune disease may already be far along in whichever parts of the body are impacted," he said.

Dr. Rice emphasized that recognizing symptoms early and obtaining a timely diagnosis can help slow disease progression and improve long-term outcomes.

The United States is currently experiencing one of its worst Cyclospora outbreaks in recent years, with health officials still unable to determine the source of the infections.

According to the latest data, the outbreak has spread across at least 18 states. Michigan has reported at least 1000 cases, emerging as the hardest-hit state. With around 40 hospitalisations, no deaths have been reported so far.

Cyclospora Outbreak In The US

The outbreak is being investigated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state health departments. Investigators have not yet identified a single contaminated food source.

Several other states have also reported rising case counts. New York City has confirmed hundreds of infections since May. Health officials believe the actual number of infections is likely higher because Cyclospora is not routinely tested for in people with diarrhea. Symptoms usually begin about one week after exposure and can last weeks if untreated.

Also read: Walked Through Floodwater Recently? 5 Things To Do After Reaching Home To Minimise Risk Of Infections

About Cyclospora

A Cyclospora infection can be mild or severe and may last for weeks or even months. It is typically treated with antibiotics. People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or cancer, are at greater risk of severe disease.

Cyclospora infection commonly causes:

• Prolonged watery diarrhea
• Severe abdominal cramps
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Weight loss
• Bloating

Health authorities in the US continue to advise people to wash fresh produce thoroughly, maintain good hand hygiene, and seek medical care if they develop prolonged watery diarrhea, especially if symptoms persist for several days.

Does India’s Monsoon Raise Risk Of Cyclospora?

While there is no indication of a similar outbreak in India, infectious disease experts say the country's monsoon season creates conditions that can facilitate the spread of intestinal parasites if food and drinking water become contaminated.

HealthandMe spoke to Dr. Devashish Desai, Consultant, Infectious Diseases at Ruby Hall Clinic, if India, too, faces a possibility of a parasitic infection like cyclospora, especially in monsoon season.

Dr Desai said, “The answer is yes. India's monsoon creates conditions that favour the spread of several water and food-borne infections, including Cyclospora. Heavy rainfall can contaminate drinking water sources and fresh fruits and vegetables with sewage or infected soil. Consuming raw salads, unwashed herbs, or untreated water significantly increases the risk of infection.”

Unlike bacteria, cyclospora parasites require time in the environment before they become infectious, meaning direct person-to-person transmission is uncommon. Instead, contaminated food and water remain the primary sources of infection. This makes maintaining hygiene from farms to kitchens essential for prevention.

The expert added, “Although Cyclospora outbreaks are not commonly reported in India, the environmental conditions during the rainy season make vigilance essential. Strong food safety practices, clean water, and good personal hygiene remain the most effective defences against this preventable parasitic infection.”

Although India has not reported a similar outbreak, experts say the current situation in the US is a stark reminder that food safety and sanitation become even more critical during the monsoon.