Immunodeficiency disorders disrupt your body’s ability to defend itself against bacteria, viruses, and parasites. There are two types of immunodeficiency disorders: those you are born with, and those that are acquired. Anything that weakens your immune system can lead to a secondary immunodeficiency disorder.
Immunodeficiency disorders are either congenital or acquired. A congenital, or primary, disorder is one you were born with. Acquired, or secondary, disorders you get later in life. Acquired disorders are more common than congenital disorders.
Your immune system includes the following organs:
Spleen, tonsils, bone marrow, lymph nodes
These organs produce and secrete lymphocytes, they are white blood cells classified as B cells and T cells. B and T cells fight invaders called antigens. B cells release antibodies specific to the disease your body detects while T cells destroy foreign or abnormal cells.
The treatment for each immunodeficiency disorder will depend on the specific conditions. For example, AIDS causes several different infections. Your doctor will prescribe medications for each infection. And you may be given an antiretroviral to treat the HIV infection if required.
Treatment for immunodeficiency disorders commonly includes antibiotics and immunoglobulin therapy. Other antiviral drugs, amantadine and acyclovir, or a drug called interferon are used for treatment of the viral infections caused by immunodeficiency disorders.
If your bone marrow isn’t producing enough lymphocytes, your doctor might order a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant.
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