Guest guest Posted April 18, 2010 Report Share Posted April 18, 2010 > > > > > Find An >Allergist / Immunologist > | > Pollen Levels > | > Journal > of Allergy and Clinical Immunology > | > Annual Meeting > > > >> Contact > > About AAAAI > > > > > Search > > > > > Patients & Consumers > > >Conditions >En Español > >Find an Allergist / >Immunologist > >Just for > Kids > >New Research > >Parent Resources > >Pollen Levels > > >Publications >Real Life >Stories > >Request a >Speaker > >School >Tools > >Seniors > >The Virtual > Allergist™ > > >Treatments >Videos > > > > >Search > by Condition (A-Z) >Search > by Topic >Allergy > & Asthma Issues >Educational >Brochures >Elements of >Allergy and Asthma >Order >Public Education Materials >Washington Post Supplement >Allergy > Shots >Drug > Guide >Sublingual > Immunotherapy (SLIT) Tips to Remember: Recurrent or unusually severe >infections >We > live in a sea of germs, and everyone gets an infection at least once in > a while. However, while most people can recover on their own from most >infections, some people experience recurring infections that require >antibiotic treatment. For instance, , age two, has had eight ear >infections each year of her life. Mike, 32, needs antibiotics six to >eight times every year to treat sinusitis and bronchitis. Both >and Mike have a problem with too many infections. While one aspect of >the problem of recurrent infections is the large number of infections, >the other aspect of this problem is that these recurrent infections tend > to last longer and to be more severe than in most other people. >For instance, Arielle developed a diarrheal illness >that lasted several weeks when she was four months old, followed by an >infection in her mouth that spread to a large area over her buttocks. > developed her first skin infection at 12 years of age. Her >persistent infections were caused by a type of bacteria that rarely if >ever causes infections in healthy people. There is probably an >explanation for each of these patient histories. An >allergist/immunologist is trained to evaluate and treat patients with >recurrent and severe infections. >Exposure and susceptibility to infections >Infection occurs when a disease-causing germ, such as a > bacteria, virus or fungus, invades the body. To become infected, you >must catch the germ (exposure) and have the ability to become infected >(susceptibility). Exposure is something that your grandmother warned you > about when she told you to stay away from ny because he was sick. >People with a lot of contact with others, such as elementary school teachers or >salespersons, are more likely to be exposed to increased numbers of >germs. >Susceptibility is more complicated than exposure. We >are all susceptible to infection by thousands of different germs. The >purpose of the immune system is to prevent infection by recognizing >germs and eliminating or disabling them before they can cause infection. > Remarkably, the immune system has the unique ability to learn the >“face†of a germ and remember it forever. Some germ families have faces >that are so similar that when your immune system learns the face of one >member of the family, it protects you from infection by any member of >that family. Other germ families are so different that the immune system > must learn each face individually. Once your immune system has learned >the face of a particular germ and successfully battled it, you are much >less susceptible to infection caused by that germ. >The first line of defense against infection is located >where the body has contact with the rest of the world—the skin—as well >as the membranes that line the respiratory system and digestive systems. > Clearly, a cut on the hand is more likely to get infected than unbroken > skin. Similarly, irritation, swelling and injury to the mucus membranes > lining the nose, sinuses and lungs provide a fertile ground for >disease-causing germs. If you have year-round allergies to dust mites, >pollen and mold, you may have some injury to your mucus membranes, which > can, in turn, increase your susceptibility to infection. Once a germ >has entered the body, your immune system springs into action. >Common infections >The most common infections are viral respiratory tract > infections—colds. The average young child between 1 and 3 years of age >may get up to 12 colds a year. Typically, cold symptoms last five to 10 >days. If a child gets 12 colds a year, each lasting less than 10 days >and usually improving without needing treatment with antibiotics, there >is not usually a cause for concern. It may seem, however, that the child > is sick half the time—because he or she is! These viral infections are a > result of the close contact that young children have with other >infected children and the fact that their immune systems are relatively >immature. Once a child's immune system learns the faces of many of the >germs that cause such colds, the child will get infected less >frequently. >Another infection, strep throat, is also a “social >disease†that children and adults catch because they are in close >contact with infected individuals. Although we don't completely >understand why some people get strep throat frequently, we know that >recurrent strep throat is rarely an indicator of a weak immune system. >Many people confuse allergic rhinitis, or “hay >fever,†which causes stuffiness, nasal itch and a runny nose that lasts >for weeks, with a cold or sinus infection. Your allergist/immunologist >can help you differentiate allergies from infection, or know when both >are present at the same time. Once the possibility of allergy is >eliminated, your allergist will consider if your infections are a simply > a result of high exposure to other people with infections, or if these >infections are warning signals of an immune system problem called immunodeficiency > . There are many forms of immunodeficiency and while some are very >severe and life-threatening, many are milder but still important enough >to cause recurrent or severe infections. >Signs of Immunodeficiency >People with immunodeficiency get the same kinds of >infections that other people get—ear infections, sinusitis and >pneumonia. The difference is that their infections occur more >frequently, are often more severe, and have a greater risk of >complications. Furthermore, the infections usually do not go away >without using antibiotics and often recur within one to two weeks after >antibiotic treatment is completed. These patients frequently need many >courses of antibiotics each year to stay healthy. Patients with some >forms of immunodeficiency are more likely than other people to develop >infections inside certain areas of the body, such as the bones, joints, >liver, heart or brain. >In most cases, the frequency of infection is the most >important issue, but sometimes a single infection with an unusual germ >is enough to trigger the need for the doctor to perform a thorough >immunologic evaluation of the patient. >So, how many infections are too many? >Allergist/immunologists often use the frequency of the use of >antibiotics to mark the frequency of significant infections. Older >children and adults with healthy immune systems seldom require >antibiotic treatment. However, for the reasons mentioned above, many >younger children receive several courses of antibiotic therapy each >year. Therefore, the number of ear infections that may be “normal†in a >child under 5 years of age is clearly abnormal in older children and >adults. >General guidelines for determining if a patient may be >experiencing too many infections are: > * The need for more than four courses of antibiotic > treatment per year in children or more that two times per year in >adults. > * The occurrence of more than four new ear infections >in one year after four years of age. > > * The development of pneumonia twice over any time. > > * The occurrence of more than three episodes of >bacterial sinusitis in one year or the occurrence of chronic sinusitis. > * The need for preventive antibiotics to decrease the > number of infections. > * Any unusually severe infection or infections caused > by bacteria that do not usually cause problems in most people at the >patient's age. >If you have any of the conditions noted above, your >allergist/immunologist will consider if you need to be evaluated for >immunodeficiency. Very often, this evaluation may give reassuring >results and even improve your immunity since immunizations may be part >of the evaluation. If an immunodeficiency is detected, early treatment >prevents complications of infections that then contribute to making >other infections worse and more difficult to treat. >Although small children are expected to have a large >number of respiratory infections, it is important to be vigilant in this > population for unusually frequent or severe infections. This is because > the most serious immunodeficiencies usually become apparent during the >first years of life. Signs that a physician should consider examining a >patient further for possible immunodeficiency include persistent fungal >infection of the mouth or skin, prolonged diarrhea or persistent cough. >If a primary care or family physician believes that a patient's >infections exceed the normal range, the doctor should consider referring > the patient to an allergy/immunology specialist. >The most common forms of immunodeficiency are caused by > defects in your ability to produce blood proteins called antibodies. > Antibodies are proteins that attach to germs and help the body >eliminate them. Simple blood tests can measure the number of antibodies >you are producing. To fully evaluate your antibodies, it may be >important to measure specific antibody responses by giving you >diptheria, tetanus and pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccines and performing a > blood test before immunization and three to four weeks later. Skin >tests or more specialized blood tests can diagnose other forms of >immunodeficiency. Allergy skin tests are sometimes done because >allergies often contribute to infection susceptibility, and many >patients with immunodeficiency also suffer from allergies. >Treatment of recurrent infections >> So, what can be done about recurrent infections? The key >to minimizing problems with infections is to understand the basis of the > immunodeficiency by using appropriate testing. Once your physician >properly diagnoses your immunodeficiency, he or she can provide >treatments that help you lead a more full life. Treatments are available > for many immunodeficiencies. For example, the most common forms of >immunodeficiency are often treated with infusions of antibodies called intravenous > immunoglobulins (IVIG). IVIG essentially replaces the antibodies >that your body is unable to make. Your allergist/immunologist is >experienced in using such treatments, which help minimize infections, >speeds recovery, and strengthens the immune system. >Patients who have a family history of immunodeficiency >or unexplained severe infections should also sometimes be evaluated for >an immunodeficiency, even before they develop any infections. This may >be done at birth in some cases. An allergist/immunologist will be able >to counsel patients about the risk of other family members being >carriers of or being affected by an immunodeficiency. Other patients may > have immunodeficiencies that can be recognized before the development >of infections because of the presence of other abnormalities, such as >congenital malformations. It is important to recognize these situations >since infections and their complications may be prevented by an early >diagnosis and prompt institution of corrective measures. >When to see an allergy/asthma specialist >The AAAAI's How the Allergist/Immunologist Can >Help: Consultation and Referral Guidelines Citing the Evidence provide > information to assist patients and health care professionals in >determining when a patient may need consultation or ongoing specialty >care by the allergist/immunologist. Patients should see an >allergist/immunologist if they: > * Have chronic or recurrent infectious >rhinosinusitis. > * Have any of the following warning signs: > > * Eight or more new infections within one year. > > * Two or more serious sinus infections within one >year. > > * Two or more months on antibiotic with little or no >effect. > > * Two or more pneumonias within 1 year. > > * Failure of an infant to gain weight or grow >normally. > > * Recurrent deep skin or organ abscesses. > > * Persistent thrush in mouth or elsewhere on skin >after age 1 year. > > * Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear >infections. > > * Two or more deep seated infections. > > * A family history of immune deficiency. >Your allergist/immunologist can provide you with >more information on recurrent infections, immunodeficiency and >treatments. > >Tips to Remember are created by the >Public Education Committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma >and Immunology. >Feel Better. Live Better. >>An allergist/immunologist, often referred to as an allergist, is a >pediatrician or internist with at least two additional years of >specialized training in the diagnosis and treatment of problems such as >allergies, asthma, autoimmune diseases and the evaluation and treatment >of patients with recurrent infections, such as immunodeficiency >diseases. >The right care can make the difference between suffering with an >allergic disease and feeling better. By visiting the office of an >allergist, you can expect an accurate diagnosis, a treatment plan that >works and educational information to help you manage your disease. >Find an allergist near you at: >www.aaaai.org/physref >The contents of this brochure are for informational purposes only. >It is not intended to replace evaluation by a physician. If you have >questions or medical concerns, please contact your >allergist/immunologist. >A Trusted Resource >>The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) >represents allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, >allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the >research and treatment of allergic disease. >Ordering Information >>To order copies of this brochure, please see the Public Education > Materials Online Store. >For >More Information >>The AAAAI Web site is the most complete source of information on >allergies and asthma. For the latest research to a virtual symptom >checker, visit: >www.aaaai.org >©2010, American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & >Immunology >All rights reserved. May not be duplicated or appropriated without >permission. >Contact copyright@.... ><back> > > > > >© 1996-2010 · · American Academy of >Allergy Asthma & Immunology >Disclaimers and Contact Information > · Site Map > > > > Become a teacher Earn your Master of Arts in Teaching degree delivered online from the University of Southern California BARBIE ________________________________ From: <fancyflowers@...> Sent: Sun, April 18, 2010 12:50:41 PM Subject: RE: New Here Thank you. I would love to see the article if you find it. Missy Mommy to , my 2 year old Monster with VACTERLS From: groups (DOT) com [mailto:groups (DOT) com] On Behalf Of Barbara Jimenez Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2010 2:53 PM groups (DOT) com Subject: Re: New Here I have to find the article but..... with treatment the risks are greatly reduced..... m You have to realize that most of the studies and treatments are relatively new. So many of the old studies are based on people who were getting IM Gamma globulin that is not a consistent delivery to protect the body from the organ damage and chronic illnesses that the last generation endured. I personally believe the outlook is MUCH brighter based on IV and SubQ Ig replacement for our kids that are diagnosed now rather than later and we prevent the complications. BARBIE ____________ _________ _________ __ From: Madden <bluetaelonatt (DOT) net <mailto:bluetaelon% 40att.net> > groups (DOT) com <mailto:% 40groups. com> Sent: Sun, April 18, 2010 11:01:17 AM Subject: Re: New Here There's a large increase in cancer and mortality rates with CVID:( ____________ _________ _________ __ From: Hobbs <hobbsfamily@ indy.rr.com> groups (DOT) com Sent: Sun, April 18, 2010 10:54:53 AM Subject: RE: New Here Honestly, I have never heard the link between CVID and cancer. Has anyone else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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