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Changes in the immune system during and after spaceflightThe results of immunological analyses before, during and after spaceflight, have established the fact that spaceflight can result in a blunting of the immune mechanisms of human crew members and animal test species. There is some evidence that the immune function changes in short-term flights resemble those occurring after acute stress, while the changes during long-term flights resemble those caused by chronic stress. In addition, this blunting of the immune function occurs concomitant with a relative increase in potentially infectious microorganisms in the space cabin environment. This combination of events results in an increased probability of inflight infectious events. The realization of this probability has been shown to be partially negated by the judicious use of a preflight health stabilization program and other operational countermeasures. The continuation of these countermeasures, as well as microbial and immunological monitoring, are recommended for continued spaceflight safety.
Document ID
20040173065
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Taylor, G. R.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX United States)
Konstantinova, I.
Sonnenfeld, G.
Jennings, R.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: Advances in space biology and medicine
Volume: 6
ISSN: 1569-2574
Subject Category
Life Sciences (General)
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
manned
Skylab Project
NASA Center JSC
long duration
NASA Discipline Regulatory Physiology
STS Shuttle Project
Flight Experiment
NASA Program Flight
short duration
Apollo Project
Mir Project
Salyut Project
NASA Discipline Number 00-00
Non-NASA Center

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