Your immune system creates antibodies to react to infectious agents. Usually, your immune system will create an antibody the first time your body comes into contact with a new germ. From that point on, the antibody will stay in your body to prevent you from getting another infection by the same germ.

Unfortunately some diseases like CFIDS, HIV and Lupus weaken the immune system. The antibodies are not able to form normally and allow infections to enter and even take over the body.

The best thing you can do to help your immune system is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This means not taking recreational drugs, limiting or avoiding alcoholic beverages, tobacco and caffeine.

You should also try to keep off extra weight, eat a healthy diet, and try to get some form of light, non-strenuous exercise like walking. Another thing you should try to do is to stay away from foods that you are allergic to. Therefore, food allergy testing is STRONGLY recommended.

If you follow these measures, you can help keep your body in the best shape possible to fight infections. And don't forget about cleanliness! In particular, regular hand washing. That will help keep germs from invading your system.

On a final note, you should know that some foods actually interfere with the body's immune function. Of those, sugars especially, inhibit white blood cells from destroying bacteria. Alcohol and high dietary fat will also interfere and weaken immune function.