You can be born with an immunodeficiency; you can also acquire one. Although exact numbers are not known, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) estimates that more than 500,000 Americans are afflicted with an immune system defect. And although some inherited defects may not show up until later in life, an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 people suffer from severe forms of immunodeficiency that render them vulnerable to life-threatening infections. The 150 or more identified immunodeficiency diseases are the result of genetic flaws that affect how T and B cells and phagocytes work, and they are extremely difficult to treat.
You can be born with an immunodeficiency; you can also acquire one.
Although exact numbers are not known, the National Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) estimates that more than
500,000 Americans are afflicted with an...
More
Dr. Anthony Komaroff answered:You can be born with an immunodeficiency; you can also acquire one. Although exact numbers are not known, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) estimates that more than 500,000 Americans are afflicted with an immune system defect. And although some inherited defects may not show up until later in life, an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 people suffer from severe forms of immunodeficiency that render them vulnerable to life-threatening infections. The 150 or more identified immunodeficiency diseases are the result of genetic flaws that affect how T and B cells and phagocytes work, and they are extremely difficult to treat.You can be born with an immunodeficiency; you can also acquire one. Although exact numbers are not known, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) estimates that more than 500,000 Americans are afflicted with an... More
