Primary immunodeficiencies versus the immune system

Every day we are confronted with dozens of advertising campaigns urging people to boost their immunity. Just turn on the TV or radio and you’ll hear ads for supplements during every commercial break. It’s hard not to notice that since COVID-19 came out, we’ve started to take more interest in resilience. Therefore, it is useful to know what primary immunodeficiencies are.

The immune system – what is it responsible for?
What are primary immunodeficiencies?
Primary immunodeficiencies – symptoms
Primary immunodeficiencies – what is the treatment?
A much more common problem than you might think
Primary immunodeficiencies – a wide spectrum of symptoms
What mothers should know about NSAIDs, or Primary Immune Deficiencies in Children
Summary

The immune system – what is it responsible for?

Before discussing the symptoms of NSAIDs, it is worth saying a few words about what the immune system is. This is because it is the first line of defense against bacteria, viruses and the infections they can cause. This complex system is thus responsible for:

Protection against germs;
Prevention of cell mutation;
Cooperation with the nervous and endocrine systems;
Recognizing self and foreign structures.

Sometimes, however, the work of the immune system is compromised – as, for example, is the case with primary immunodeficiencies.

What are primary immunodeficiencies?

NSAIDs are a group of immune system diseases that are caused by genetic conditions. They weaken the immune system, making us more susceptible to germs.PNO is a genetically determined disease. This means, therefore, that it cannot be infected. It is transmitted by inheritance or is the result of mutation.

Primary immunodeficiencies – symptoms

There are many symptoms of primary immune deficiencies – both non-life-threatening and those that can become fatal. The most common ones are recurrent:

Infections and colds – min. 8 times a year;
Severe sinusitis – min. 2 per year;
Pneumonia – min. 2 per year;
Oral or skin fungus that occurs in a child after age 1;
Abscesses of the skin or organs.

In addition, ineffective antibiotic therapy can also be a symptom of PNO, prolonging its use for up to two months. So if the above symptoms are observed in a patient, you should think about implementing treatment.

Immunodeficiencies what are their characteristics? — Photo: Symptoms of primary immunodeficiencies

Primary immunodeficiencies – what is the treatment?

The decision to treat NSAIDs should be based primarily on a diagnosis by a clinical immunology specialist. Once the disease is diagnosed, treatment should be implemented as soon as possible – as PON can cause numerous complications as it progresses. The treatment of NSAIDs is complex and lengthy. It includes, among other things. antibacterial and antifungal prophylaxis, and in the most severe cases, even a bone marrow transplant may be ^needed3.

A much more common problem than you might think

opinions that the condition is quite rare and affects 1 in 10,000 people. In reality, however, it affects many more people. This is because very often the disease is not diagnosed in infancy, but only at later stages of life. It happens that the patient learns about it only after the age of 50 or even 60. In addition, new innate immune system disorders are also constantly being detected. At the moment there are already more than 300 of them, and the number is still growing. It is also worth mentioning that most of these disorders are recurrent and even chronic in nature².

Primary immunodeficiencies – a wide spectrum of symptoms

Few diseases can manifest themselves in as many ways as primary immunodeficiencies. These can take the form of infections, allergies, angiopathies and even very serious autoimmune diseases. In addition, they also have an impact on the development of ^cancer2. Some of them may reveal themselves as early as infancy, while other patients with PNO will be virtually asymptomatic. So as you can see, it is a very complex disease. The situation is also exacerbated by the relatively small number of clinical immunology specialists who could ^diagnose it4.

What mothers should know about NSAIDs, or Primary Immune Deficiencies in Children

The most common symptoms of PON in children are:

Ear infections – min. 4 times a year;
Sick sinuses – min. 2 times a year;
Pneumonia – min. 2 times a year;
Stunting of the child’s growth and weight;
Abscesses on the skin and other organs;
Oral thrush and other fungal infections on the body;
Deep tissue infections – min. 2 times a year.

The occurrence of PON in a child can also be recognized by a decrease in the effectiveness of antibiotic ^therapy5.

Summary

Primary immunodeficiencies in a child can be troublesome. Relentlessly recurring colds can finish off both the child and everyone else in the household. That’s why it’s not worth delaying an appointment with a clinical immunology specialist to diagnose NSAIDs and help your loved ones deal with weakened immunity and colds. For more on this topic, see the article How to take care of immunity?