Hidden, low-grade infections can quietly siphon energy. These include viral reactivations (such as EBV, the virus that causes mononucleosis), smoldering sinus or dental infections, postviral states, tick-borne illnesses, or gut or urinary infections that don’t clearly announce themselves. Any of them can lead to a persistently “on” immune system that keeps you feeling foggy and underpowered.
“Chronic infections can keep your body in a chronic state of low-level alarm,” writes integrative-medicine physician Aviva Romm, MD, in The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution. She notes that chronic stress can also reduce your body’s ability to keep viruses contained.
“We carry a lot of viruses with us, whether we’ve had chicken pox, mono, or other things,” says Plotnikoff. Normally, the body sequesters these viruses, but they may reemerge in times of stress — such as when a latent herpes virus awakens to trigger a cold sore as the body is fighting off a cold.
How to address:
In general, managing stress can help the immune system do its job. A quality diet also helps. “Focus on nutrient density,” functional nutritionist Jesse Haas, CNS, LN advises. “High-fiber foods, adequate protein, anti-inflammatory herbs and spices, and lots of colorful foods to support the microbiome.”
If you suspect a potential infection may be at the root of your fatigue, see a healthcare provider. They can help you dig deeper with targeted testing and treatment.
Fatigue, Explained
About one in five adults struggles with general fatigue and one in 10 experiences chronic exhaustion. Pinpointing the root causes can be challenging, but doing so is essential for effective management — and long-term relief. Learn more at “8 Reasons You Might Be Exhausted — and How to Recharge,” from which this article was excerpted.
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