Sleep and immunity in times of COVID-19

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Analyze how the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic and its social restriction measures affect sleep quality and the immunological system. METHODS: An integrative bibliographical review was carried out using scientific articles from the last five years, from the PUBMED databases, with the descriptors: Sleep; Quarantine; COVID-19; Immunity; Mental Health. Besides the books "Oxford textbook of sleep disorders", "Cellular and molecular immunology", and "Treaty of Infectology". RESULTS: Sleep affects immunity. This happens through the regulation of immunological markers and their cells. Therefore, the COVID-19 pandemic can promote sleep disturbances and harm the immune system function. CONCLUSION: Sleep exercises a direct influence on immunity maintenance and immunological response. Circadian rhythm alterations, associated with the psychological problems imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic compromise the quality of sleep and, for that reason, the immune system.