The immune system is the body’s way to try to fight off infections and invaders. However, there are many cases in which the body’s immune system simply doesn’t work very well. There are a few different types of diseases that affect the immune system. Autoimmune diseases cause the body to attack itself. Immunodeficiency disorders aren’t quite so aggressive. While they don’t attack the body, they prevent the body from using its immune system properly. People born with an immunodeficiency disorder are said to have a primary version. Those who acquire one later have secondary versions of the disorders. What’s even more troubling is that these immunodeficiency disorders often put people at a dangerous risk of other conditions as well. What follows are some of the most troublesome immunodeficiency disorders that people get.
This immunodeficiency is passed on from parents. It’s known as a primary immunodeficiency disease. This means that the body is more susceptible to infection. People with chronic granulomatous disease are vulnerable to specific infections. These infections are caused by bacteria and fungi. People with CGD do not produce the proper chemicals created by the neutrophil cells to be able to properly fight the bacteria and fungus in question. There’s some small good news for people with chronic granulomatous disease though. Conditions other than the infections caused by these bacteria and fungi will be reacted to correctly. The immune system will take care of those with no problem. While it’s not good to have chronic granulomatous disease, at least it’s not worse than it could be.
AIDS is certainly a well known immunodeficiency disorder that can occur. It is a result of HIV, which is a virus in the body. It is transmitted through bodily fluids. It’s mostly commonly known as a sexually transmitted disease, but it can be passed on through breast milk or blood as well! There is no cure for AIDS, which means that there is a need for treatment throughout the remainder of life. In many cases, there are medications which assist in keeping HIV from developing fully to AIDS. The life expectancy for this condition has grown much larger than it used to be upon the original discovery of the condition.
Leukemia is another secondary form of immunodeficiency disorder. This is a cancer of the blood. Specifically, the immunodeficiency disorder is the forms of leukemia which attack the white blood cells or white blood cell production. Leukemia has multiple forms and can follow many paths. In some cases, the onset is very quick. Other times, it is a very slow onset. Other differences are based on the type of cells that are affected. Essentially, leukemia tends to either affect the myeloids, or lymphocytes.
This is one of the most serious and severe immunodeficiency disorders there are. This disorder involves both types of white blood cells being dysfunctional. Affected people are susceptible to a huge variety of infections. Mutations can be possible. Some people call this the “bubble boy” disease. Many children affected with this condition need to live in hermetically sealed rooms or areas, so as to ensure that no potential contaminants can get in. Air is filtered and provided.
