Immune deficiency - treatments and management
Immune deficiencies may be primary or secondary in nature. Primary deficiencies are situated within or belong exclusively to the organs related to the immune system. This means that a part of the immune system is genetically affected or missing or does not function properly. Secondary deficiencies, on the contrary are when immune system’s health is jeopardized by external factors like viruses, drugs, antibiotics and severe infections.
The advancement in medical science and the new discoveries have indeed been instrumental in treating primary immune deficiencies, which were earlier almost a sure signal of an ensuing death. Evaluation of immune deficiencies is now possible and so is its treatment to a great extent.
A detailed medical history is necessary to understand the frequency and occurrence of unusual infections to evaluate deficiencies. Prolonged diarrhea and poor childhood growth are signs that the doctor will look for indications of a weak immune system. Primary immune deficiency normally runs in families. A detailed family history is the next step in line.
If immune deficiency is suspected, the patient has to undergo a series of blood tests. Blood tests can reveal cells that might be lacking in the complete immune system. If blood tests too point towards an immune deficiency, vaccines may be given to test immune responses. If the immune system health is in proper shape, it will release antibodies in the blood, against the organisms in the vaccine. Again, blood tests are done to see whether sufficient antibodies were produced or not.
There are different streams of combating immune deficiencies: one is management and the other is treatment and medication. Medication and treatments involves:
- Treating frequent infections with the aid of antibiotics. Antibiotics are drugs that are used to treat infections. The best way to use antibiotics is to first determine whether they are extremely necessary and which one is best suited for the condition. In certain cases an antibiotic alternative like an herbal antibiotic too can be considered to avoid complications due to side effects of conventional antibiotics. Antibiotics and treatment must be used according to individual needs and monitored and modified if needs change.
- Replacement of antibodies by Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). It is a blood product obtained from plasma of thousands of blood donors containing immunoglobulin (antibodies). Its affect last between two to three weeks in treating acquired or secondary immune deficiencies.
- Other types of treatment modalities include bone marrow transplants and gamma interferon.
- Gene therapy is still in its experimental stage and immunologists are eagerly waiting for a breakthrough that will ensure a definite cure for immune deficiencies.
Both primary and secondary immune deficiencies require constant monitoring and expert handling. The patient has to understand the limitations and refrain from exposure to unnecessary infections by effectively managing lifestyles. The holistic lobby in immunology strongly recommends exploring the role that herbs for immune system can play in preventing acquired immune deficiency. The goal of managing and treating immune deficiencies is primarily to enable patients to take control of their lives by helping them in a) maintaining a healthy lifestyle, b) understanding when to avoid and when to avoid treating infections.
