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Immunodeficiency

Immunodeficiency



Overview

Immunodeficiency disorders prevent your body from fighting infections and diseases as well as it should. This type of disorder can make it easier for you to develop viral or bacterial infections.

Immunodeficiency disorders are either congenital or acquired.

A congenital, or primary, disorder is one you were born with.

An acquired, or secondary, disorder is one you get later in life.

Acquired disorders are more common than congenital disorders.

Your immune system includes the following organs:

spleen

tonsils

bone marrow

lymph nodes

These organs create and release lymphocytes, which are white blood cells classified as B cells and T cells.

B and T cells fight invaders by detecting specific parts of them known as “antigens.” B cells release antibodies specific to the antigen that your body detects. T cells can destroy foreign or atypical cells.

Your B and T cells might need to fight off:

bacteria

viruses

cancer cells

parasites

An immunodeficiency disorder disrupts your body’s ability to defend itself against these

What is a weak immune system?

If you have a “weaker” immune system, it means your body is immunocompromised Trusted Source. This means your body can’t fight off infections or viruses as well as people who are not immunocompromised.

While a weaker immune system is typically caused by certain diseases, malnutrition, and certain genetic disorders, it may also be temporary, as a result of medications such as anticancer drugs and radiation therapy.

Your immune system can also be temporarily weakened by a stem cell or organ transplant.

Symptoms

There are hundreds of types of immunodeficiency disorders. Each disorder has unique symptoms that can be frequent or chronic. However, there are a few warning signs that something may be going on with your immune system.

Individuals with immunodeficiency disorders tend to have frequent infections — one round after another — of certain conditions, such as:

pink eye

sinus infections

thrush

colds

chronic gum disease (gingivitis)

pneumonia

yeast infections

Individuals with immunodeficiency disorders may also develop chronic abdominal pain, and they may even lose weight over time.

If you find that you get sick easily and have a hard time shaking off viruses and other infections, your doctor might suggest you get tested for an immunodeficiency disorder.

Different Type

An immune deficiency disease or disorder occurs when the immune system is not working as expected. If you’re born with a deficiency from a genetic cause, it’s called primary immunodeficiency disease. There are more than 200Trusted Source primary immunodeficiency disorders.

Examples of primary immunodeficiency disorders include:

common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)

severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), also known as alymphocytosis

chronic granulomatous disease (CGD)

Secondary immunodeficiency disorders happen when an outside source, like a chemical or infection, weakens your body. The following can cause a secondary immunodeficiency disorder:

severe burns

chemotherapy

radiation

diabetes mellitus

malnutrition

Examples of secondary immunodeficiency disorders include:

stage 3 HIV

cancers of the immune system, like leukemia

immune-complex diseases, like viral hepatitis

multiple myeloma (cancer of the plasma cells, a type of B cell that produces antibodies)

Causes

Primary immunodeficiency disorders are most commonly caused by inherited gene mutations.

People who have a family history of primary immunodeficiency disorders have a higher risk of developing primary immunodeficiency disorders themselves.

Secondary immunodeficiency disorders can be caused by a variety of things, including:

chronic conditions (like diabetes or cancer)

drugs

radiation therapy (this is rare)

long-term hospitalization

insufficient nutrition

Anything that weakens your immune system can lead to a secondary immunodeficiency disorder. For example, exposure to body fluids containing HIV or organ removal and replacement can both be causes.

Aging can also weaken your immune system. As you age, some of the organs that produce or process white blood cells shrink and become less efficient.

Proteins are important for your immunity. Not getting enough protein in your diet can weaken your immune system.

Your body also produces proteins when you sleep that help your body fight infection. For this reason, lack of sleep can reduce your immune defenses.

Cancers and chemotherapy drugs can also reduce your immunity.

Diagnosis

If your doctor thinks you might have an immunodeficiency disorder, they may:

ask you about your medical history

perform a physical exam

check your overall white blood cell count

determine your T cell count

measure your immunoglobulin levels

Your doctor may also perform a skin test, which is usually done when a T-cell abnormality is suspected.

During a skin test, a small number of proteins from common infectious organisms (like yeast) are injected right under the skin. If there’s no reaction (such as swelling or redness) within 2 days, that can be a sign of an immunodeficiency disorder from a T-cell abnormality.

Biopsies of the lymph nodes or bone marrow may also be performed to help your doctor narrow down which disorder may be causing your symptoms.

A doctor may also recommend genetic testing, usually via a blood test, to determine if there are any gene mutations that may be causing your immunodeficiency disorder.

Treatment

Treating immunodeficiency disorders typically involves:

preventing infections when possible

treating infections when they occur

strengthening parts of your immune system

Antibiotics and immunoglobulin therapy are two types of medications often used in treatment.

Other antiviral drugs, like oseltamivir, acyclovir, or interferon, are sometimes used to treat viral infections caused by immunodeficiency disorders.

If your bone marrow isn’t producing enough lymphocytes, your doctor might suggest a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant.

Type of Doctor Department : An immunologist

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