Treatment of weakened immunity

Weakened immunity

Impaired immunity occurs as a result of some disorders that affect the immune system, which leads to the body’s inability to fight the germs that attack it, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Chemotherapy and immune deficiency can be treated in several ways, and these methods will be explained later.

Types of weakened immunity

Immune dysfunction occurs when the immune system is not functioning properly, and there are two types of weak immune disease:
Congenital primary immunodeficiency and acquired secondary immunity, and these two types will be explained as follows:

• Primary immune deficiency disease: Primary immune deficiency occurs when there is an imbalance in the blood globulin that works to fight germs, when the level of antibodies in the body is low, or when some immune system cells do not function properly.
• Secondary immunodeficiency disease: This type is acquired and occurs when people are exposed to chemicals or infection, and this type of weakened immunity may lead to several diseases such as AIDS, leukemia or viral hepatitis.

Symptoms of weakened immunity

Symptoms of weak immunity differ according to the type of disorder that affects the immune system and causes this weakness, but the most common symptom of weak immunity is the recurrence of infections, and many other symptoms may also appear on the person, and these symptoms include:

• Weight loss.
• Slow growth, especially in children.
• Swelling of the glands.
• Anemia.
• Joint swelling.
• Low platelet count.
• Ulcers occur frequently.
• Skin rash.
• Gum problems.
• Allergy to some types of food.
• Inflammation of the inside of the eyelid.

Causes of weakened immunity

Primary immune dysfunction that people develop as a result of genetic mutations, and secondary immunodeficiency disease occurs as a result of using some medications and as a result of infection with some diseases. The reasons for this type of weak immunity will be clarified, as follows:

• Exposure to certain infections, such as HIV, Epstein-Barr virus, or CMV.
• Surgeries through which the spleen is removed or stem cells are transplanted.
• Zinc deficiency and lack of vitamins and minerals.
• Severe burns.
• chemotherapy.
• Using steroid medication.
• Use of immunosuppressive medications.
• The use of antiepileptic drugs.
• Malnutrition.
• cancer.
• Diabetes.

Treatment of weakened immunity

Secondary immune dysfunction is treated by treating the causes that lead to it, and primary immunodeficiency is treated by controlling infections, by many other methods, which will be clarified, as follows:

• Inflammation control: Inflammation control helps in treating weak immunity, and inflammation can be controlled by one of the following methods:
• Treating infections: Infections are treated with the use of antibiotics, and the doctor usually gives the patient with weak immunity these drugs intravenously inside the hospital.
• Preventing infections: The doctor may give some people long-term antibiotics to prevent infections in the respiratory system and to prevent permanent damage to the lungs or ears, and also can prevent the occurrence of infections by taking vaccines.
• Symptomatic treatment: The use of certain medications, such as ibuprofen, helps treat pain, fever, and sinus congestion.
• Strengthening the immune system: The doctor may strengthen the immune system by using immunoglobulin therapy, or by using interferon gamma therapy or by using growth factor therapy, and these treatments will be clarified, and they are as follows:

Immunoglobulin therapy: Immunoglobulin are antibodies that help the immune system to fight germs, are given to the patient intravenously or may be injected under the skin.
Interferon-gamma therapy: Interferon is a synthetic material that helps fight viruses, and also works to stimulate the cells of the immune system. The patient is given these substances by injecting them into the thigh or arm three times a week.
Treatment using growth factors: It is possible to treat weak immunity that occurs due to a lack of white blood cells by using growth factors that help to increase the number of white blood cells in the body and thus strengthen immunity.
Stem cell transplantation: Stem cell transplantation helps in treating life-threatening weak immunity, and stem cell transplantation is a permanent treatment for weakened immunity. The transplant is performed by taking stem cells from the bone marrow of a healthy person and then transferring it to the patient.

Prevention of weak immunity

Primary weakened immunity occurs as a result of the presence of genetic mutations, and therefore it is not possible to prevent its occurrence, while secondary weak immunity can be prevented by following many methods, and these methods include:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after entering the toilet and before eating.
• Teeth cleaning twice a day.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
• Exercise regularly.
• Get enough sleep.
• Control stress and tension.
• Avoid mixing with people with infections.
• Take vaccines.

Source :

What are examples of immunodeficiency disorders", www.medicalnewstoday.com, Retrieved 18-5-2019. Edited. "Immunodeficiency Disorders", www.healthline.com, Retrieved 18-5-2019. Edited.  "Primary immunodeficiency", www.mayoclinic.org, Retrieved 18-5-2019. Edited.