Your immune system is constantly on the defense – fighting germs that could cause infections. Sometimes the “germ” wins but what is the difference between losing an occasional battle and having recurrent infections? How many are too many?
While any body system can be infected, infections of the respiratory tract; ears, sinuses and lungs are by far the most common. In general, immunodeficiency patients get the same infections that most people get just with an increased frequency, severity and risk of complications.
The term “primary immune deficiency disease” (PIDD) describes a defect in immune defenses which makes an individual more susceptible to recurrent infections than otherwise healthy people. “Primary” implies no external cause - as opposed to “secondary”, which is the result of an external agent. AIDS is a good example of a secondary immune deficiency, the result of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection leading to destruction of T cells.
More than 250 unique primary immune deficiency diseases have been discovered in the last 60 years. Some are relatively benign and some are potentially life-threatening. Some are fairly common (e.g., selective IgA deficiency, occurring in 1 in 500 of the general population), while others are incredibly rare. Inheritance patterns include X-linked (affecting only male children of female carriers); autosomal recessive (affecting 1 in 4 children of two carrier parents); and new mutations with no identifiable genetic markers in the parents.
People with primary immunodeficiency diseases live much of their lives more susceptible to infections – enduring recurrent health problems and often developing serious illnesses. It is a common misconception that people with primary immune deficiencies must appear chronically debilitated. In fact, some individuals appear quite healthy in between infections. For this reason, it may take years before a PIDD diagnosis is considered and ultimately confirmed. Fortunately, most patients can live full and independent lives with proper medical care.
Be aware of indications that may signal PIDD. Here are some warning signs to be aware of:
10 Warning Signs of Primary Immunodeficiency
- Four or more new ear infections within 1 year.
- Two or more serious sinus infections within 1 year.
- Two or more months on antibiotics with little effect.
- Two or more pneumonias within 1 year.
- Failure of an infant to gain weight or grow normally.
- Recurrent, deep skin or organ abscesses.
- Persistent thrush in mouth or fungal infection on skin.
- Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections.
- Two or more deep-seated infections including septicemia.
- A family history of PID.
Thanks to dedicated medical research, there are treatments and doctors who know how to help patients deal with PIDD. When the condition is properly managed, patients can live normal productive lives. While primary immunodeficiency disease is a relatively new field for medical study, impressive advances continue to be made thanks to the commitment of dedicated doctors and researchers.
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