What is an Immune Deficiency Disorder?
If you are diagnosed with an immune deficiency, this simply means that your immune system is not functioning the way it should be to protect your body and to keep you healthy. Many of the most common immune disorders patients face are also linked to allergy and asthma conditions.
Keep reading to learn the most common signs of an immune deficiency, as well as how our board-certified specialists at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia can help treat you and give you a better quality of life.
Allergies and Your Immune System
Your immune system is a vital part of your body that protects you from harmful particles, known as antigens. These antigens may include bacteria, viruses, environmental toxins, and other particles. To protect you, your immune system produces antibodies that are released when an antigen is present.
When a patient suffers from allergies, they are suffering from their immune system’s response to a typically harmless substance that is registered as a threat — causing itchy eyes, a scratchy throat, asthma, and other symptoms. For patients with allergies, their immune system creates antibodies to combat allergens. Your immune system will produce IgE antibodies to protect you, causing a histamine reaction.
Additionally, the following immunodeficiencies are more commonly associated with allergic issues, according to the Immune Deficiency Foundation:
- Omenn’s Syndrome
- Hyper IgE Syndromes
- IPEX
Signs You May Have an Immune Deficiency
A patient that has an immune deficiency may experience the following symptoms:
- Recurring bronchitis, sinus infections, or ear infections, pneumonia, or yeast infections.
- Poor response to treatment for common infections.
- Delayed recovery from sickness.
Diagnosing Your Immune Deficiency Disorder
At Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia, our board-certified specialists have the ability to diagnose and properly treat patients with immune deficiency disorders, while also treating their allergy and asthma symptoms.
First, our specialists will perform tests to measure different key indicators in your blood. Once we have determined that you have a compromised or weakened immune system, we can develop a treatment plan that prevents infection that may occur. This means that we may recommend antibiotics and over-the-counter medications, as well as treatment for your allergy symptoms.
Additionally, our board-certified doctors may recommend treatment techniques such as immunoglobin therapy, gamma interferon therapy, or growth factors.
Immune Deficiency Treatment at Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia
To diagnose and treat your immune deficiency, contact our team of board-certified specialists today for a consultation. Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia We offer same-day and next-day appointments via telemedicine and in our offices for your convenience.