immune disorders
Overview of Immunodeficiency Disorders
Symptoms of Immunodeficiency Disorders
People with an immunodeficiency disorder tend to have one infection after another. Usually, respiratory infections (such as sinus and lung infections) develop first and recur often. Most people eventually develop severe bacterial infections that persist, recur, or lead to complications. For example, sore throats and head colds may progress to Pneumonia in Immunocompromised People . However, having many colds does not necessarily suggest an immunodeficiency disorder. For example, a more likely cause of frequent infections in children is repeated exposure to infection at day care or school. Infections of the mouth, eyes, and digestive tract are common. Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis , a fungal infection of the mouth, may be an early sign of an immunodeficiency disorder. Sores may form in the mouth. People may have chronic gum disease ( Many people have fevers and chills and lose their appetite and/or weight. Abdominal pain may develop, possibly because the liver or spleen is enlarged. Infants or young children may have chronic diarrhea and may not grow and develop as expected (called Failure to Thrive in Children ). Children who develop symptoms in early childhood are likely to have a more severe immunodeficiency than those whose symptoms develop later. Other symptoms vary depending on the severity and duration of the infections. Primary immunodeficiencies may occur as part of a syndrome with other symptoms. These other symptoms are often more easily recognized than those of the immunodeficiency. For example, doctors may recognize DiGeorge Syndrome because affected infants have low-set ears, a small jawbone that recedes, and wide-set eyes. Although people with an immunodeficiency may have decreased ability to fight bacteria and other "foreign" substances, they can develop an immune response against their own tissues and develop symptoms of an Autoimmune Disorders . 