United States: The scientific journal Chronobiology International documented that when night shift workers fail to get enough sleep they face elevated susceptibility to bacterial infections which leads to colds and sinusitis and bronchitis, as reported by HealthDay.
How Sleep Loss Weakens Immunity
People who lose two hours or less of nightly sleep demonstrate a 33% increased risk of developing a cold just as individuals who completely lack sleep face double the chance of becoming sick. The risk of pneumonia and bronchitis increases by 2.3 times through moderate sleep deprivation yet severe deprivation results in a nearly four-time increase in these infections.
The Impact on Healthcare Workers
Research conducted on Norwegian healthcare workers through examination of over 1,300 professionals demonstrated night shift workers faced increased infection risks compared to individuals with standard sleep patterns. Despite causing a higher susceptibility to common colds sleep deprivation demonstrated no major effect on infections beyond the common cold.
Experts Call Better Sleep Policies
Researchers emphasize the need for better shift scheduling to reduce sleep loss and protect workers’ immune health, as reported by HealthDay.
- Limiting consecutive night shifts
- Providing adequate recovery time between shifts
- Raising awareness of sleep’s role in immunity
- Encouraging regular health screenings and vaccinations
“Nurses and other shift workers could benefit from more structured schedules to prevent long-term health risks,” said Professor Ståle Pallesen from the University of Bergen.