Immunodeficiency

One of the most common signs of immunodeficiency is frequent, prolonged, or hard-to-treat infections. However, the specific signs and symptoms of immunodeficiency can vary depending on the individual's type of primary immunodeficiency disorder.

If you or someone you know is affected by two or more of the following warning signs, it could indicate an underlying primary immunodeficiency:

• Four or more ear infections within one year
• Two or more cases of pneumonia within one year
• Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections
• Failure of an infant to gain weight or grow normally
• Two or more serious sinus infections within one year
• Recurrent, itchy, and inflamed skin or organ abscesses
• Two or more deep-seated infections, including septicemia
• Persistent thrush in the mouth or fungal infection on the skin
• Prolonged antibiotic use (two or more months) with little to no improvement

Common complications may include:

• Slowed growth
• Recurrent infections
• Autoimmune disorders
• Increased risk of cancer
• Death from a severe infection
• Damage to the heart, lungs, nervous system, or digestive tract

What are the Causes of Immunodeficiency?

Many primary immunodeficiency disorders are inherited, meaning they are passed down from one or both parents. These conditions arise from defects in the genetic code (DNA), which serves as the body’s blueprint for creating immune cells. Immunodeficiency can affect anyone, but individuals with a family history of the condition are at a higher risk. 

Primary immunodeficiencies typically develop before age 20 and are more common among men than women. With over 300 types of immunodeficiency disorders—and researchers continuing to discover more—they are broadly classified into six groups based on the affected part of the immune system. Some key causes include:

• T cell deficiencies
• B cell (antibody) deficiencies
• Combination T and B cell deficiencies
• Defective phagocytes
• Complement deficiencies
• Unknown (idiopathic)

By thoroughly identifying the underlying cause of your immunodeficiency, our experienced immunology experts at Premier Allergy TX can develop a personalized and targeted treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

If you are diagnosed with primary immunodeficiency, your treatment goals will include managing existing infections and preventing future ones. The type of primary immunodeficiency treatment you receive depends on your specific condition. 

Your immunologist may prescribe the following medications:

• Antibiotics (to fight off or prevent bacterial infections)
• Antivirals (to help you recover from infections caused by viruses)
• Immune globulin (can be administered through IV to replace some types of immune system components)

Surgery may be necessary to treat or manage complications from infections. Gene therapy is also a potential treatment option for specific types of primary immunodeficiencies. 

At Premier Allergy TX, we combine expert medical care with a patient-first approach to ensure the best outcomes for every individual.

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