What is a cytokine storm?
A cytokine storm is a life-threatening syndrome in which the immune system reinforces itself in a spiral of inflammation that can damage organs. If you have symptoms that could point to this, prompt medical attention is essential.
A cytokine storm is a dangerous syndrome in which the immune system goes into overdrive. Cytokines are small proteins that immune cells use to communicate with one another, normally in careful balance. In a cytokine storm, that balance is completely disrupted: the body produces enormous quantities of these signalling molecules all at once, triggering a systemic inflammation that damages the body itself.
What makes it so dangerous is the self-reinforcing nature of the process. Released cytokines activate a form of inflammatory cell death, after which the dying cells themselves release yet more cytokines. This process is difficult to stop once it has gotten underway. If the tide cannot be turned, damage to multiple organs simultaneously can result, which in severe cases is fatal.
A cytokine storm can be triggered by a wide range of causes: infections such as COVID-19 or sepsis, congenital disorders of the immune system, autoimmune diseases, blood cancers, and certain medical treatments. It can also occur as a side effect of CAR-T cell therapy, a form of cancer therapy in which the patient's own immune cells are trained to attack tumour cells. The storm also plays a central role in haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (a rare blood disorder) and severe myocarditis.
In severe COVID-19, a meta-analysis of 23 studies showed that patients with a severe course had significantly higher levels of certain inflammatory markers and fewer immune cells compared with people with mild disease. Variation between studies was large, so precise threshold values have not been established.
Despite decades of research, the exact molecular mechanisms have not yet been fully mapped. Every clinical trial that has so far attempted to suppress cytokine production in sepsis has failed. Newer approaches targeting specific links in the inflammatory cascade are being investigated, but mortality in a pronounced cytokine storm remains high. Early recognition is also difficult, as the initial complaints are vague and non-specific. Diagnosis requires specific criteria and considerable clinical experience.
Based on multiple reviews and one meta-analysis (23 studies, COVID-19). The cause-and-effect relationship between cytokine release and organ damage is well supported; the therapeutic side and the role of early diagnosis are less firmly established.
What are the symptoms of a weakened immune system?
The clearest signs of a weakened immune system are recurrent or unusually severe infections, but skin problems, autoimmune complaints, and an increased cancer risk can also be part of the picture. If you recognise this pattern in yourself or your child, discuss it with your doctor.
Does creatine do anything to your immune system?
Creatine affects immune cells, but whether that turns out well or badly depends strongly on the situation. For healthy older adults who also do strength training there is a cautiously positive signal; if you have endometriosis or a certain type of cancer, the context is more complex and consulting your doctor is advisable.
Does vitamin C actually help against a cold?
Taking vitamin C daily does not protect most people against colds, but does make a cold slightly shorter and milder. If you train intensively, the benefit is greater. Anyone who really wants an effect during a cold is better off looking at zinc.
What does loneliness do to your immune system?
Loneliness disrupts your immune system in multiple ways simultaneously: more inflammation, reduced antiviral defence, and accelerated cellular ageing. If you notice that you structurally feel alone, it is worth actively working on genuine social connection, independent of other health factors.
Does melatonin support your immune system in later life?
Melatonin has clear effects on the immune system in animal and laboratory research, but whether supplements genuinely improve immune function in older people has not yet been demonstrated. It has long been used for better sleep, which may be indirectly beneficial.
Can an overactive immune system also be dangerous?
An overactive immune system can damage your own tissue and is demonstrably dangerous in several conditions. If you recognise symptoms that may point to chronic inflammation or autoimmune problems, discuss this with your doctor.