Signs Of An Immunodeficiency Disorder

An immunodeficiency disorder interferes with the body’s immune system and its ability to fight diseases. The immune system is comprised of white blood cells that kill pathogens and defend against viruses, bacteria, and parasitic worms. These cells contain macrophages, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. Each cell attacks pathogens and engulfs them upon entering your body. They are formed in your spleen, tonsils, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.When you have an immunodeficiency disorder, your body’s natural defenses are lowered or absent and cannot stave off harmful organisms. You are more susceptible to acquiring fungal infections, lymphoma, and cancers. They can occur due to hormonal conditions, malnutrition, unsanitary, and the human immune deficiency virus. Symptoms may include frequent sinus infections, bronchitis, skin infections, ear infections, and meningitis.

Respiratory Infections

Photo Credit: Dreamstime

Your respiratory system allows you to inhale and exhale air. The air you breathe is a part of a necessary gas exchange for your lungs. During this process, your heart pumps oxygen into the internal organs and tissues in your body. Oxygen is turned into carbon dioxide and absorbed into your blood. The carbon dioxide is then carried back to the lungs through your red blood cells and removed when you exhale.

When you suffer from respiratory infections, this process does work and oxygen is not supplied to your organs. Pulmonary complications are one of the most common symptoms of an autoimmune disorder and cause chronic lung damage. There are common infections that are signs of an immunodeficiency disorder. They include bronchitis, which causes the lining of bronchial tubes to become inflamed; pneumonia, which inflames and builds up fluid in the air sacks of your lungs; and otitis media, an ear infection caused by bacteria or a virus that causes fluid in the ear and hearing loss.

Bacterial Infections

Strep throat checkup. Photo Credit: Dreamstime @Dreamz

When you have a strong, healthy immune system, your body can fight off bacterial infections. But without a defense mechanism to protect you from illness, your body succumbs to infections quickly. Bacterial infections can occur on the inside and outside of your body and wreak havoc on your body. These contagions include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. Coli.

Since your immune system is weak, you can easily contract some specific infections, which include strep throat, impetigo, and cellulitis. Strep throat is caused by Streptococcus and affects your throat. When you have this infection, your tonsils are swollen and sore. Impetigo is a skin infection resulting from bacteria. When infected, your skin becomes red, and pus-filled pimples appear. They break open and form a thick crust over them and can show up anywhere on your body. Cellulitis attacks the surface and underlying skin tissues. It is caused by Streptococcus and enters the body through a surgical cut, bruise, or wound. Those infected usually come down with a fever and chills. Their lymph glands become swollen, and a rash appears on the skin.

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