If you get sick pretty easily and have a hard time getting over viruses or other infections, you might be struggling with immunodeficiency. Immunodeficiency is a disorder that prevents your body from fighting off germs effectively, which allows illnesses to affect you more easily. 

There are two kinds of immunodeficiency: primary and secondary. Primary immunodeficiency is present at birth and tends to be genetic. Secondary immunodeficiency is more common and acquired later in life. Acquired immunodeficiency can be caused by diabetes, malnutrition, unsafe sexual practices, and intravenous drug use.

There are over 300 kinds of primary immunodeficiency. Many of them are mild, so you may not realize you have this disorder until you reach adulthood. 

If you’re not sure whether or not you’re struggling with immunodeficiency, Mark Stahl, DO, and the rest of our team at Apex Allergy and Asthma review some telltale signs of this disorder so you can start to get to the bottom of your health issues.

Signs and risk factors of Immunodeficiency 

Here are some of the warning signs and other risk factors to look out for if you think you have immunodeficiency:

• Repeated infections: You constantly have infections like bronchitis, pneumonia, sinus infections, and ear infections
• Infections that are difficult to treat: When you have infections, antibiotics aren’t effective at treating them, and you need IV antibiotics
• Severe infections: You often have infections that require you to be hospitalized 
• Opportunistic infections: You come down with infections that not many other people get
• Infection of internal organs: These are infections like sepsis or abscesses that occur in your internal organs
• Blood disorders: Those with immunodeficiency often also struggle with blood disorders, such as low platelet count or anemia
• Digestive problems: You might have chronic diarrhea or abdominal pain
• Losing weight over time: If you struggle with digestive issues from immunodeficiency, it can cause you to slowly lose weight
• Autoimmune disorders: Immunodeficiency often presents with autoimmune disorders like lupus or type 1 diabetes
• Cancer: Because immunodeficiency affects your immune system, it can put you at high risk for developing cancers

If you identify with several of the above signs, it’s important that you seek treatment from a medical professional to be tested and treated for immunodeficiency. 

Next steps

Immunodeficiency is an immune system disorder that can pose serious health risks since your body isn’t able to fight off infectious diseases as it should. Therapies exist to prevent infections and, in some cases, offer nearly normal immune function.

To learn more about immunodeficiency or to be tested and treated for it, call our office located in San Antonio, Texas, or use our online scheduler to request an appointment with us today.