< Previous | Contents | Next >

Immunology and Allergy Services in Scotland

APPENDIX VII

THE 10 WARNING SIGNS OF PRIMARY IMMUNODEFICIENCY

Primary immunodeficiency disorders cause children and adults to have infections that come back frequently or are unusually hard to cure. They are often not diagnosed or diagnosed only after long delay, when the sufferer has irreversible disability, usually the result of reduced respiratory function. Although quite rare these days, they are a significant cause of misery which is unnecessary if diagnosis is early and treatment competent.

The Primary Immunodeficiency Association (PiA) exists to work for a better deal for patients with primary immunodeficiency. It is keen that you remember the possibility of primary immunodeficiency in your clinical work.

If a patient, child or adult, is affected by more than one of the following conditions, think about the possible presence of primary immunodeficiency:

1 Eight or more new ear infections within 1 year.
2 Two or more serious sinus infections within 1 year.
3 Two or more pneumonias within 1 year.
4 Recurrent, deep skin or organ abcesses.
5 Two or more deep-seated infections, such as meningitis, osteomyelitis, cellulitis, or sepsis.
6 Surgical intervention for chronic infection, such as lobectomy for bronchiectasis, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, recurrent insertion of grommets, or recurrent incision of boils.
7 Two or more months on antibiotics with little effect.
8 Persistent thrush in mouth or elsewhere on skin, after age 1.
9 Failure of an infant to gain weight or to grow normally.
10 A family history of primary immunodeficiency.

Patients with a possible primary immunodeficiency deserve referral to an immunology clinic.

If you require literature about primary immunodeficiency, or the address of the nearest immunology clinic, the PiA can help. Please contact David Watters, General Secretary of the PiA, at:

Alliance House
12 Caxton Street
LONDON SW1H 0QS
Phone: 0171 976 7640
Fax: 01719767641
E-mail: pimmune@dial.pipex.com
Web-site: http:www.pia.org.uk

The PiA thanks the Jeffrey Modell Foundation for permission to use the 10 warning signs.

< Previous | Contents | Next >