Diseases and Disorders
SCID (under active immune system)
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This stands for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, and is a primary immune disorder. There is one huge defining symptom, and that is a severe defect in both the T and B lymphocyte systems. As a result, there is usually serious infections within the first few months of life. These infections may even be life threatening. Some of the infections can include pneumonia, meningitis, or bloodstream infections. If a child is suspected to have this disease, the doctor can do a blood test where they can count the number of lymphocytes. If the child has the disease, then they will have very low numbers of lymphocytes. SCID needs immediate treatment.
The only known cure is a bone marrow or cord blood transplant. These transplants replace abnormal blood forming cells with health cells from a family member or unrelated donor. The best donor is usually a sibling, however, since SCID is inherited, many children with SCID do not have a health matched sibling.
Other preventions for children with SCID are keeping them away from germs. This includes keeping them away from crowds and sick people. Treatment with antibiotics can also be helpful. Patients are also given immunoglobulin or gammaglobulin. This contains antibodies that would normally be made by healthy B cells which help the body fight infections. This treatment usually is required once every 3-4 weeks and it may take up to 5 hours.
The most common type of SCID is linked to the x chromosome, making it mostly affect only males. Other forms of SCID follow an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, or are the result of mutations.
The immune system's main job is to identify and attack cells that they do not recognize as belonging to the body. However, in children with SCID, the immune system doesn't work well because of problems with certain types of white lymphocytes, or white blood cells. Usually with SCID, the T cells are either missing or defective, and the B cells, if present at all, can't make antibodies because of the defective or absent T cells. The Killer cells may be affected as well.
Dr. Rebecca Buckley, chief of Duke's division of pediatric allergy and immunology states, "This once-fatal disease should be now seen as a pediatric emergency, a condition that needs immediate diagnosis and treatment."
This disease is often known as the "bubble boy disease." It became widely known in the 1970's when the world learned of David Vetter. He was a boy with SCID who lived for twelve years in a plastic, germ-free bubble.
The only known cure is a bone marrow or cord blood transplant. These transplants replace abnormal blood forming cells with health cells from a family member or unrelated donor. The best donor is usually a sibling, however, since SCID is inherited, many children with SCID do not have a health matched sibling.
Other preventions for children with SCID are keeping them away from germs. This includes keeping them away from crowds and sick people. Treatment with antibiotics can also be helpful. Patients are also given immunoglobulin or gammaglobulin. This contains antibodies that would normally be made by healthy B cells which help the body fight infections. This treatment usually is required once every 3-4 weeks and it may take up to 5 hours.
The most common type of SCID is linked to the x chromosome, making it mostly affect only males. Other forms of SCID follow an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern, or are the result of mutations.
The immune system's main job is to identify and attack cells that they do not recognize as belonging to the body. However, in children with SCID, the immune system doesn't work well because of problems with certain types of white lymphocytes, or white blood cells. Usually with SCID, the T cells are either missing or defective, and the B cells, if present at all, can't make antibodies because of the defective or absent T cells. The Killer cells may be affected as well.
Dr. Rebecca Buckley, chief of Duke's division of pediatric allergy and immunology states, "This once-fatal disease should be now seen as a pediatric emergency, a condition that needs immediate diagnosis and treatment."
This disease is often known as the "bubble boy disease." It became widely known in the 1970's when the world learned of David Vetter. He was a boy with SCID who lived for twelve years in a plastic, germ-free bubble.
Allergies (over Active immune system)
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Allergies are commonly overlooked, but in fact, and allergy is actually an exaggerated immune response or reaction to substances that are generally not harmful. The immune system protects the body against harmful substances, such as bacteria and viruses, but it also reacts to foreign substances called allergens. Allergens are usually harmless and in most people do not cause a problem. However, in a person with allergies, the immune system creates an oversensitive response. When the body recognizes and allergen, it releases chemicals, such as histamines, which fight off the allergen. This is what causes allergy symptoms.
There are a number of different types of allergy reactions. Some may be to hot or cold temperatures, sunlight, or other environmental triggers. Sometimes friction will cause symptoms. Other symptoms may include: breathing problems, tearing or itchy eyes, conjunctivitis, coughing, diarrhea, headache, ives, itchy nose, itchy mouth, itchy throat, itchy skin, runny nose, skin rashes, stomach cramps, vomiting, wheezing, etc.
The part of the body that the allergen touches affects what symptoms you develop. For example, allergens that you breathe in often cause a stuffy nose, itch nose or throat, coughing, or wheezing. Allergens that touch the eyes may cause itchy, watery, red, or swollen eyes. Allergens that touch the skin can cause a skin rash, hives, itching, blisters, or skin peeling.
There are a number of different types of allergy reactions. Some may be to hot or cold temperatures, sunlight, or other environmental triggers. Sometimes friction will cause symptoms. Other symptoms may include: breathing problems, tearing or itchy eyes, conjunctivitis, coughing, diarrhea, headache, ives, itchy nose, itchy mouth, itchy throat, itchy skin, runny nose, skin rashes, stomach cramps, vomiting, wheezing, etc.
The part of the body that the allergen touches affects what symptoms you develop. For example, allergens that you breathe in often cause a stuffy nose, itch nose or throat, coughing, or wheezing. Allergens that touch the eyes may cause itchy, watery, red, or swollen eyes. Allergens that touch the skin can cause a skin rash, hives, itching, blisters, or skin peeling.
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There are exams and tests that can be done to confirm or identify the allergy. The health care provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions. Skin testing is the most common method of allergy testing. A prick test is usually helpful. In this test, a small amount of the suspected allergy-causing substance is placed on the skin. Then, the area is pricked slightly so the substance moves under the skin. The skin is then closely watched for signs of a reaction which might include swelling or redness.
Blood tests can measure the levels of allergy-related substances and a complete blood count may also help to diagnose allergies. Doctors might use the "use or elimination test." They might advise you to avoid certain items to see if you get better, or to use suspected items to see if you feel worse. This is often used to check for food or medication allergies. For serious allergies, medications can be used.
Blood tests can measure the levels of allergy-related substances and a complete blood count may also help to diagnose allergies. Doctors might use the "use or elimination test." They might advise you to avoid certain items to see if you get better, or to use suspected items to see if you feel worse. This is often used to check for food or medication allergies. For serious allergies, medications can be used.