Immunodeficiency Disorder

What is Immunodeficiency Disorder?

Immunodeficiency disorder is a medical condition in which your body is unable to fight the external factors like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It is estimated that immunodeficiency disorder occurs in one among 50,000 adults and in one among 500,000 infants. It happens more in boys than in girls. When the immune system of a body does not function properly, a person is left open to repeated diseases and infections of severe nature. They are either acquired or are infected by an external source. A congenital, or primary immunodeficiency disorder is the one you are born with. Secondary or acquired immunodeficiency disorders mostly happen in the later years of life. Secondary immunodeficiency disorders are more common than primary disorders.

Our immune system is a fighting machine that keeps us healthy. Anything that weakens it can lead to a secondary immunodeficiency disorder, resulting in various viruses and bacterial infections.

Symptoms

If you have a family history of primary immunodeficiency disorder, you are more likely to get affected by it. These symptoms could be chronic in nature and may include:

  • Sinus infections.
  • Diarrhoea.
  • Cold.
  • Pneumonia.
  • Yeast infections.
  • Pinkeye.

 

 

Causes

Some of the most probable causes of this disease are:

  • Problems in the DNA.
  • Genetic code.
  • Defective phagocytes.
  • Complement deficiencies.

 

Risks

The main risk factors are:

  • Family history of the disease.
  • Exposure to infected bodily fluids.
  • Cirrhosis of the liver.
  • Aging.

 

Prevention

To prevent the occurrence of this disease, one should take care of:

Good hygiene.

  • Proper care of the teeth.
  • Sound sleep.
  • Stress management.

How is it diagnosed?

At Medanta, following techniques are used to diagnose your symptoms of the disease:

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How is it treated?

At Medanta, following methods may be employed to treat your disease right:

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  • Gamma interferon therapy

    The interferons are substances that are used to fight virus and stimulate the immune system cells. It is given as an injection in the thigh or the arms to treat one form of primary immunodeficiency disorder.

  • Immunoglobulin therapy

     Immunoglobulin has antibody proteins that are needed for the immune system to fight infections.

  • Growth factors

    When immunodeficiency is caused due to lack of certain white blood cells, growth factor therapy can help boost the levels of immune-strengthening white blood cells.

When do I contact the doctor?

You should consult a doctor immediately, if you experience recurrent skin infections, pneumonia, blood disorders, digestive problems like nausea, loss of appetite, and delayed growth. Early treatment and diagnosis will help prevent infections, that may cause long-term problems.

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