Immune Deficiency Care

Care for Frequent and Hard-to-Treat Infections

Everyone gets sick sometimes. But if you or your child have infections that happen often, last longer than expected, or don’t clear up with standard treatment, your immune system may not be working as well as it should. At Allergy & Asthma Physicians of Commerce Township, we evaluate and treat immune deficiencies in children and adults at our offices in Commerce Township and Mount Clemens. Our practice is led by Pulin P. Patel, DO, FACAAI, who is board certified in allergy and immunology.

What Is an Immune Deficiency?

Your immune system protects you from germs such as bacteria and viruses. An immune deficiency means part of that system is missing or not working properly, so your body has a harder time fighting off infection.

Primary immune deficiencies are present from birth, although some aren’t found until adulthood. Secondary immune deficiencies develop later because of another health condition or a treatment, such as chemotherapy or long-term steroid use.

Warning Signs of an Immune Deficiency

• Frequent ear, sinus, or lung infections
• Pneumonia more than once
• Infections that need IV antibiotics or don’t improve with oral antibiotics
• Infections that come back soon after treatment ends
• Deep skin or organ abscesses
• Thrush or fungal infections that won’t go away
• A child who isn’t growing or gaining weight as expected
• A family history of immune deficiency

Conditions We Evaluate

• Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID)
• Specific antibody deficiency
• Selective IgA deficiency
• IgG subclass deficiency
• Secondary immune deficiency caused by medicines or other health conditions

Many people with an immune deficiency also have allergies, asthma, or chronic sinusitis. That overlap is one reason allergy and immunology care often go together.

How We Help

• Immune System Testing: blood tests that show how well your immune system is working
• Immune Deficiency Treatment: immunoglobulin replacement (IVIG and SCIG), infection prevention, and ongoing care