Primary immunodeficiency

Up to 1 in 500 people may be affected by a primary immunodeficiency, and many remain undiagnosed. Here are some warning signs that might suggest a primary immunodeficiency in your patient and that merit referral to an immunologist.

10 warning signs of a primary immunodeficiency in children.

Think about referring your patient to an allergist/immunologist when there is the presence of > 2 of the following warning signs:

1. > 4 ear infections in one year
2. > 2 severe sinus infections in one year
3. > 2 months treatment of antibiotics with little effect
4. > 2 pneumonias per year
5. Insufficient weight gain or growth delay
6. Recurrent deep skin or organ abcesses (ex. :liver, lungs)
7. Persistent thrush in mouth or fungal infection on skin
8. Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections
9. > 2 deep seated infections (ex. : septicemia, meningitis)
10. Family history of a primary immunodeficiency

 

10 warning signs of a primary immunodeficiency in adults.

Think about referring your patient to an allergist/immunologist when there is the presence of > 2 of the following warning signs:

1. > 2 ear infections in one year
2. > 2 sinus infections in one year in the absence of allergies
3. 1 pneumonia per year for more than one year
4. Chronic diarrhea with weight loss
5. Repeat viral infections (colds, herpes, warts, condyloma)
6. Recurrent need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections
7. Recurrent, deep abscesses of the skin or internal organs (ex. : liver, lungs)
8. Persistent thrush or fungal infection on skin or elsewhere
9. Infection with normally harmless tuberculosis-like bacteria
10. Family history of a primary immunodeficiency

 

Adapted from http://immunodeficiency.ca/primary-immunodeficiency/10-warning-signs/ March 15, 2017

These warning signs were developed by the Jeffrey Modell Foundation Medical Advisory Board, www.info4pi.org.