The role of the immune system is to help the body fight disease, but many people suffer from issues that keep their immune systems from working properly. In some cases these conditions actually make the body more susceptible to illness and infection. Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases, or PIDD, are a family of diseases that keep the body’s immune system from fighting infection as it should. Luckily, treatments such as infusion therapy can help.
What is PIDD?
Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PIDD) encompass over 400 disorders that affect the body’s immune system. These rare, chronic diseases are characterized by defects or malfunctions in the immune system. While many of them are genetic, they often manifest later in life and are not diagnosed until late childhood or even adulthood. Patients with PIDD are more vulnerable to infections and are at a higher risk of developing serious illnesses throughout their lifetimes. There are, however, many treatments available for PIDD, including infusion therapy.
Some of the most common types of PIDD include:
- Ataxia Telangiectasia
- Chronic Granulomatous Disease
- Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID)
- DiGeorge Syndrome
- NEMO Deficiency Syndrome
- WHIM Syndrome
- Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome
How Infusion Therapy Works for Treating PIDD
Treatments for PIDD generally focus on targeting recurrent infections and boosting the immune system. Due to the strength of the medications needed to treat patients with PIDD, drugs are often administered through an IV infusion. These medications include antibiotics, antifungals, and antivirals.
Other intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) or subcutaneous immunoglobulins (SCIg) can be administered to boost the immune system by replacing or supplying additional antibodies to fight infection.
Medications Used to Treat PIDD
Since the primary treatments for PIDD attempt to prevent or eliminate infections, the most prominent infusion medication for PIDD patients are antibiotics. Prescription antibiotics are medications used to treat infections caused by bacteria. These medications won’t prevent fungal or viral infections, so it is important to consult with your healthcare provider before pursuing antibiotic infusion therapy.
Side Effects of Infusion Antibiotics
Though widely effective against bacterial infection, antibiotics do present certain risks. Common side effects include:
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
In rare cases serious side effects may occur:
- Dizziness
- Breathing difficulties
- Coughing or wheezing
- Skin rash
- Swelling of the face, tongue, and/or lips
If you are experiencing a severe side effect or an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical help immediately. It is also recommended that you report any adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at www.fda.gov/medwatch, or by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
It is also important to note that antibiotics can affect the good bacteria in your digestive system, so please talk to your doctor to discuss mitigating factors during your treatment.
What to Expect
At Infusion Associates, it is of utmost importance that you feel comfortable and cared for during your infusion therapy. Each of our rooms is stocked with heated blankets, pillows, drinks, free Wi-Fi, and many other amenities. Our expert medical staff will monitor your infusion closely and be present to provide any guidance you might need and to handle your questions or concerns.
The duration of your therapy will depend on the specifics of your treatment needs, but our staff is committed to making your stay as pleasurable as possible. Since infusion therapy distributes the medication more directly into the bloodstream, many of our patients begin to feel relief even before they leave our doors. Safe and effective treatment is our priority.
If Your Doctor Has Recommended IV Therapy for PIDD, Let Infusion Associates Help You
At Infusion Associates, we provide medically-prescribed infusion therapy for patients with chronic conditions in a welcoming and friendly environment. Our team of healthcare professionals is fully committed to making the experience as comfortable as possible for you or your patients. We always inform patients of any potential side effects and answer all their questions before starting treatment. In addition, we have a Registered Pharmacist on-site to make the process as seamless as possible.
If you would like to refer a patient to us or want to inquire about the treatments we offer, you can contact us by calling us at (616) 954-0600 or filling out this form.