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Immunodeficiencies

Sometimes recurrent sinus infections, ear infections, pneumonia, or sepsis (blood infections) can be the sign of a problem with the immune system. These problems can be a lack of protective blood borne antibody production, decreased function of specific types of white blood cells that fight infection, or both. Another condition in this category can include complement deficiency in which antimicrobial proteins are absent or malfunctioning. These diseases are rare, and it is more common for recurrent sinus and ear infections to be caused by allergic disease resulting in impaired drainage due to recurrent allergic inflammation. However, for patients with recurrent or chronic infections, we can screen for these rare disorders with certain lab tests. Some patients with proven immunodeficiency benefit from antibody replacement with either intravenous immunoglobulin or subcutaneous immunoglobulin injections. Our doctors are trained in the work up and treatment of immunodefiency.