Immunodeficiencies are rare and occur when your immune system isn’t working right to fight infections. Your body may not make enough of the proteins that fight infections. Your immune cells may not work properly or you may not have enough of them. In some cases, your immune system can become dysregulated and cause inflammation.

Some symptoms of immune system problems include:

• Frequent, severe, or atypical infections
• Get infections that a healthy immune system would typically fight off
• Have immune system related symptoms that don’t improve with typical care such as prescribed medications or antibiotics
• Unexplained fevers, rashes, fatigue, breathing, or stomach problems
• Inflamed or enlarged lymph nodes, liver, or spleen

At Carilion, our immune system experts test your body’s defenses. Tests may include blood tests, vaccine response testing, and in some cases, genetic tests. Results help guide the safest and most effective care for you.

There are 2 main categories of immunodeficiency: 

• Primary immunodeficiency: Immune problems you’re born with. They can cause frequent infections, slow healing, or ongoing inflammation.
• Secondary immune deficiency: When chemotherapy, certain medicines, or chronic illness weakens the immune system.

There are many kinds of immunodeficiency. Here are the most common types we diagnose and treat at Carilion:

• Common variable immunodeficiency: A condition where the body doesn’t make enough antibodies to fight infections. It often causes repeated sinus, lung, or ear infections.
• Selective IgA deficiency: A common immune condition where the body lacks IgA, an antibody that protects the nose, throat, and gut. Some people have no symptoms, while others get frequent infections.
• Combined immunodeficiency: This is a more serious immune disorder. It affects many parts of the immune system, leading to severe or unusual infections.
• Antibody deficiency: When the body makes too few antibodies or doesn’t respond well to vaccines. These cause repeated infections.
• Complement deficiencies: The complement proteins help the immune system kill bacteria. Without them, you can get frequent or severe bacterial infections.
• Autoinflammatory disorders: When the immune system overreacts, causing fevers, rashes, swelling, or joint pain.

Immunodeficiency care depends on your specific health issue and how your symptoms affect you.

At Carilion, we focus on preventing infections and supporting your immune health. We also teach you and your family how to manage immune conditions at home. 

• Immunoglobulin replacement therapy: This medicine replaces missing antibodies. You get it through a vein or under the skin as an infusion. These antibodies help your body fight infections. Your doctor will set your treatment schedule based on your test results.
• Antibiotic prophylaxis: Taking antibiotics at a low dose or on a regular schedule can help reduce how often you get infections. Doctors carefully manage this medicine to prevent unwanted effects.
• Vaccination counseling: We can help you understand which vaccines are safe for you to get. Your care team helps you know which vaccines to take and when.
• Biologic therapies: These medicines use antibodies to target specific parts of the immune system. They can help control certain immune or inflammatory health issues. 
• Comprehensive immune evaluation program: We offer detailed testing to tailor your care plan and track your progress. This program helps manage complex cases and supports ongoing immune care.
• Education resources: We teach you and your family how to prevent infections and manage your health. You’ll learn what symptoms to watch for and when to seek medical care. Our goal is to help you feel confident in protecting your health at home.