Happy couples have trouble getting flu

Happy couples will be able to fight flu more effectively. Conversely, the virus will easily attack people who are newly divorced or lost relatives.

A team at the University of Birmingham, UK, found stressful life events that affect the immune response of people who get the flu shot every year. The immune response is a sign of the body's ability to fight against influenza virus.

The team tested the antibody levels - created by the body to fight disease - in the blood. An increase in antibody levels indicates that the body's immune system fights better infection.

The results showed that those with happy married life had higher levels of antibodies in their blood than those who were less satisfied with family life.

Flu is estimated to kill thousands of people in the UK each year.- 10-15% of the population gets the flu every year.- 100,000 flu molecules are shot in the air after each sneeze.- In 12 hours, the flu virus can invade 1 million nasal and throat cells.

People who lost loved ones in the year before the vaccination also had a weaker immune response to those who did not experience the event. More than 180 people over 65 years of age participated in the study. They took blood samples before and after 1 month of vaccination. They also completed a questionnaire about stressful life events.

The researcher, led by Anna Phillips, said: " We know that people over 65 are more likely to get the flu. But this study shows that, in that group, people who have lost loved ones, are single, divorced. , widow, is more susceptible to disease than those with happy marriages . "

" This group is particularly in need of vaccination. We are continuing to study to understand interventions such as marriage counseling that improve the immune system in this group ."

Dr. John Moore-Gillon, chairman of the British Lung Association, said: " A lot of things can affect the immune system, and this study shows that mood is an important factor. We need to Further understanding the relationship between mood and body for health and disease ".

MT ( according to BBC )