Your immune system helps protect your body from foreign or
harmful substances. Examples are bacteria, viruses, toxins,
cancer cells, and blood or tissues from another person. The
immune system makes cells and something call antibodies that
destroy these harmful substances. Aging Changes and Their
Effects on the Immune System As you grow older, your immune
system changes and does not work as well: It is slower to
respond. This increases risk of getting sick. Flu shots or other
vaccines may not work as well or protect you for as long as
expected. An autoimmune disorder may develop. This is a disease
in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys
healthy body tissues. Healing is also slowed in older persons.
There are fewer immune cells in the body to bring about healing.
The immune system's ability to detect and correct cell defects
also declines. This can result in an increase in the risk of
cancer. To decrease the risks related to aging and the immune
system: Get the flu and pneumonia vaccines and