Immunodeficiency results from a failure or absence of elements of the immune system, including lymphocytes, phagocytes, and the complement system. These cells weaken the immune system, allowing infections and other health problems to occur more easily and more often. (Primary Immunodeficiency – Symptoms & Causes – Mayo Clinic, n.d.) Symptoms of an immune dysfunction can be inflammation or infection of internal organs, blood disorders such low platelet count, high white blood cell count and anemia. Digestive problems, such as cramping, loss of appetite, nausea and diarrhea, delayed growth and development, autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis or type 1 diabetes. Having one of these symptoms can mean a great deal to your health which would require a lot more testing and diagnosing. Primary immune disorders are caused by genetic changes. There’s no way to prevent them. But when you or your child has a weakened immune system, you can take steps to prevent infections by practicing good hygiene, take care of your teeth, eat right, be physically active, get enough sleep, manage stress and get vaccinated.(Yang et al., 2024) Having an immune disorder can greatly affect peoples’ way of living and their relationships. People who already have immune disorders need to constantly take medication and see a doctor frequently. That can scare some people, and they would avoid the fact that something is wrong and not see a doctor and allowing the condition to worsen. These situations can definitely put a burden on the caregiver and/or spouse, and it’s been known to cause divorces. Not knowingly many of these immune disorders are passed on to children.
Primary immunodeficiency – symptoms & causes – mayo clinic. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved February 29, 2024, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/primary-immunodeficiency/symptoms-causes/syc-20376905
Yang, H., Leng, J., Liu, N., & Huang, L. (2024). Editorial: Free radicals and antioxidants in diseases associated with immune dysfunction, inflammatory process, and aberrant metabolism. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2024.1363854