I am considered a carrier also but from what I have read, you can still get sick. My lung doctor says something about missing a protein that protects your lungs. Either the liver does not make it or an abnormal shape that prevents it from getting to the lungs. There is a lot to alpha-1 it can get complicated. When I go back May 2nd. to see him, he is suppose to do a test that checks everything about my immune system. Over all I think my immune system works good because I typically never get sick and I don't take vaccines.