Immunodeficiency: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is an immunodeficiency disorder?

Immunodeficiency disorders are disorders that make the body unable to protect itself from bacteria, viruses and parasites. There are 2 types of immunodeficiency disorders, namely the type that is innate (primary), and the type that is acquired (secondary). Anything that weakens the immune system can cause secondary immunodeficiency disorders.

Immunodeficiency disorders prevent your body from fighting infections and disease. This disorder makes you more susceptible to viral and bacterial infections. This disorder can be congenital or acquired. Disorders from birth or primary are carried from the time you are born. Acquired or secondary distraction is a distraction that you experience later in your life. Obtained disorders are more frequent than congenital disorders.

How common is this condition?

This condition can occur in patients of any age. Immunodeficiency disorders can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of an immunodeficiency disorder?

Common symptoms of an immunodeficiency disorder are:

• Red eye
• Sinus infection
• Cold
• Diarrhea
• Pneumonia
• Yeast infection

If this problem does not respond to treatment or you do not recover completely over time, your doctor can do tests for this disorder.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes immunodeficiency disorders?

The immune system is made of lymphoid tissue in the body, which includes:

• Bone marrow
• The lymph gland
• The spleen and digestive tract
• Thymus
• Tonsils

Proteins and cells in the blood are also part of the immune system.

The immune system helps protect the body from harmful antigens. Examples of antigens include bacteria, viruses, toxins, cancer cells and blood or foreign tissue from another person or species.

When the immune system detects an antigen, it responds by producing proteins called antibodies that destroy harmful substances. The immune system response also involves the phagocytosis process. During this process, certain white blood cells engulf and destroy bacteria and other foreign substances. Complement proteins aid in this process.

This disorder can affect parts of the immune system. Often times, this condition occurs when special white blood cells or T or B lymphocytes (or both) don't function normally or your body doesn't produce enough antibodies.

Hereditary immunodeficiency disorders that attack B cells include:

• Hypogammaglobulinemia, which usually causes respiratory or gastrointestinal infections
• Agammaglobulinemia, which causes early, often fatal, severe infection

Hereditary immunodeficiency disorders that attack T cells usually cause recurrent Candida (fungal) infections. Combined hereditary immunodeficiency attacks both T cells and B cells. This condition can be lethal in the first year if not treated early.

People are called immunosuppression when they have a drug-induced disorder that weakens the immune system (such as corticosteroids). Immunosuppression is also a side effect of chemotherapy to treat cancer.

Acquired immunodeficiency may be a complication of HIV / AIDS or malnutrition (especially if the person is not getting enough protein). Many cancers can also cause this condition.

People who have had the spleen removed have immunodeficiency, and are at higher risk for infection with certain bacteria, which the spleen would normally help fight against. People with diabetes are also at higher risk for certain infections.

With age, the immune system becomes less and less effective. The tissues of the immune system (especially lymphoid tissue such as the thymus) shrink, and the number and activity of white blood cells decreases.

The following conditions and diseases may be associated with immunodeficiency disorders:

• Ataxia-telangiectasia
• Complement deficiency
• DiGeorge syndrome
• Hypogammaglobulinemia
• Job syndrome
• Leucocyte adhesion defects
• Bruton disease
• Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for immunodeficiency disorders?

Quoted from Healthline, there are many risk factors for immunodeficiency disorders, namely:

• Family history. People who have a family history of immunodeficiency disorders have a higher risk of developing the same condition.
• Conditions that weaken the immune system. Being exposed to HIV-infected body fluids can increase your risk of developing this condition.
• Age. Aging also weakens your immune system. As we get older, some of the organs that produce white blood cells shrink.
• Lack of protein. Lack of protein intake can weaken your immune system.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this disorder diagnosed?

If your doctor suspects you may have an immunodeficiency disorder, your doctor will:

• Ask about your medical history
• Perform a physical examination
• Determine your white blood cell count
• Determines the number of T cells
• Determine immunoglobin levels.

Vaccines can test the immune system's response with an antibody test. Your doctor will give you a vaccine, then do a blood test to see how you respond to the vaccine a few days or weeks later.

If you don't have an immunodeficiency disorder, your immune system will produce antibodies to fight the organisms in the vaccine. You can have a breakdown if the blood test doesn't show antibodies.

What are the treatments for immunodeficiency disorders?

Treatment for any immunodeficiency disorder will depend on the specific condition. For example, AIDS causes several different infections. The doctor will provide medication for each infection. You can also be given antiretrovirals to treat HIV infection if possible.

Treatment for immunodeficiency disorders generally includes antibiotics and immunoglobulin therapy. Other antiviral drugs, amantadine and acyclovir, or a drug called interferon are used to treat viral infections due to immunodeficiency disorders.

If your bone marrow doesn't produce enough lymphocytes, your doctor can perform a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be taken to treat an immunodeficiency disorder?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you treat immunodeficiency disorders:

• Practicing safe sex and avoiding the exchange of body fluids can help prevent HIV / AIDS.
• Good nutrition can prevent acquired immunodeficiency caused by malnutrition.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.