Chronic stress has been associated with which immune outcome?

• A. Enhanced immune function
• B. No change
• C. Suppressed immune function
• D. Autoimmune flare only

Answer: (C)

Chronic stress shifts the body's response to prolonged exposure to stress hormones like cortisol and catecholamines, which over time dampen immune activity. This leads to decreased lymphocyte proliferation, reduced natural killer cell activity, and lower antibody production, making infections and slower wound healing more likely. While acute stress can transiently boost some immune functions, the lasting impact of chronic stress is immunosuppression. The ideas of enhanced immune function or no change don’t fit the sustained hormonal effects, and autoimmune flares aren’t the universal outcome of chronic stress. So the best description is suppressed immune function.