While it has been believed that sleep enables recovery from illness or infection and lack of sleep increases the chance of health problems, most of that has been anecdotal rather than the result of scientific study.

“In terms of the lack of sleep and host defense, there’s relatively little evidence,” said Linda Toth of Southern Illinois University.

At the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology meeting February 23-27 at the San Diego Convention Center, Toth presented research titled “The Importance of Sleep in Host Defense” during a March 27 workshop focusing on sleep...