NIOSH Training for Nurses on Shift Work and Long Work Hours

Sleep and the Immune System (Continued)

Figure 2.2. Sleep loss can negatively affect different parts of the immune system. 1) Sleep loss reduces natural killer (NK) cell activity, which increases the risk for cancer and viral infections. 2) Sleep loss generates production of inflammatory cytokines, which increases the risk for cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. 3) Sleep loss reduces production of antibodies, which increases the risk for infections.