Advice for individuals with immunological disorders

A person’s immune status depends on their overall health: proper nutrition and avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke and chemicals whenever possible. In early childhood, the vaccines and immunizations recommended in the vaccination schedule help build a competent immune system.

Recommendations

In primary immunodeficiencies, early detection is important, usually indicated by the presence of frequent infectious diseases. Secondary immunodeficiencies occur during treatment for neoplasms or in transplant patients who must take lifelong immunosuppressive medication.

In autoimmune diseases, it is essential to follow the prescribed medication, often for life, and to avoid excessive cold and sun exposure, which can trigger disease manifestations. To maintain the functionality of joints and muscles, following specific rehabilitation guidelines is important.

Treatment

In immune deficiency, administering immunoglobulins (blood proteins responsible for our defense) can play an important role. When the deficiency affects immune cells, immunoglobulins are not effective; in such cases, antibiotics can prevent or reduce infections.

In diseases caused by excessive or poorly regulated immune responses, anti-inflammatory drugs and medications that modulate immunity are used, such as corticosteroids and biologics, which block specific inflammatory pathways. Other drugs may also have beneficial effects through less well-understood mechanisms, such as some medications used to treat malaria.