Immunodeficiency disorders make the sufferer's body unable to fight infections that can cause various diseases. This condition can be caused by various things and its treatment needs to be adjusted to the underlying cause.
Immunodeficiency is a condition when the immune system is weakened or does not function properly in fighting infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
This condition can be characterized by several things, such as the body's inability to produce antibodies to white blood cells or lymphocytes that do not function normally.
Immunodeficiency Causes and Symptoms
In general, there are two types of disorders of the immune system, namely primary immunodeficiency and secondary immunodeficiency. Primary immunodeficiency is characterized by a disorder of the immune system that is experienced from birth.
Meanwhile, secondary immunodeficiency is generally caused by various health problems, such as:
- HIV/AIDS
- Autoimmune diseases, such as myasthenia gravis and lupus
- Malnutrition or poor nutrition
- Cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma
- Chronic health problems, such as diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, and hepatitis
In addition to health problems, secondary immunodeficiency can also be caused by the side effects of certain drugs or treatment methods, such as chemotherapy. The factor of increasing age is also known to have an impact on decreasing endurance.
The main symptom of immunodeficiency that is often experienced by sufferers is repeated infections and is susceptible to serious diseases. For example, people with AIDS are more susceptible to rare cancers, such as Kaposi's sarcoma.
This makes immunodeficiency sufferers need extra protection, because exposure to any disease that is mild, can endanger their lives if not treated immediately.
However, this condition does not mean that the sufferer's body is unable to fight infection at all. However, it takes longer for the body to deal with the infection.
How to Diagnose and Treat Immunodeficiency
If you experience repeated infections, especially severe infections, see a doctor immediately so that they can be examined.
The doctor will ask for a medical history about the infection you have experienced and perform various physical and supporting examinations, such as blood tests, DNA tests, X-rays, or MRIs.
An immune test can be done by giving a vaccine by a doctor to see if the vaccine causes your body to produce antibodies. If antibodies are not formed, you can be said to have an immunodeficiency disorder. In addition, the administration of vaccines, such as the meningitis vaccine, also plays an important role in preventing immunocompromised patients from contracting various diseases.
Treatment of immunodeficiency disorders is carried out based on the severity and overall condition of the patient. For example, in patients with immunodeficiency due to HIV/AIDS who have an infection, the doctor will prescribe drugs to relieve infection and antiretroviral drugs as HIV treatment.
A bone marrow transplant may be performed for immunodeficient people whose parts of the bone marrow cannot produce enough immune cells.
Immunodeficiency disorders caused by genetic disorders are generally difficult to prevent. However, the symptoms of this type of immunodeficiency can still be controlled and relieved with the help of drugs.
Meanwhile, there are several ways you can do to prevent secondary immunodeficiency disorders, such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, getting enough rest, managing stress, and practicing healthy sex by not changing partners without using condoms.
If you often experience repeated infections or experience symptoms of a disease that is suspected to be influenced by an immunodeficiency disorder, immediately consult a doctor so that an appropriate examination and treatment can be carried out.
