Immunosuppression can be sparked by certain diseases.
Medications that suppress the immune system and some medical procedures can cause immunosuppression.
The immune system is made up of cells, tissues, and organs that help the body stave offinfection.
Caiaimage / Sam Edwards / Getty Images
Without an intact immune system, infections that might otherwise be controlled can become serious and even fatal.
This article explains what happens when someone is immunosuppressed and discusses some of the causes of immunosuppression.
Caiaimage / Sam Edwards / Getty Images
What Is Immunosuppression?
Immunosuppression means that the immune system is either temporarily or permanently impaired.
Thespleenand other organs, as well aswhite blood cells, can’t respond as well to infection and inflammation.
Medications That Cause Immunosuppression
There are a number of medications that are taken to reduceinflammation.
For instance, steroid-induced immunosuppression will often manifest withcandidiasis(oral thrush) in people who useinhaled steroids.
Chemotherapy Drugs
Chemotherapyis used to shrink cancer cells and help people with cancer achieve or sustainremission.
Chemotherapy drugs specifically target cells that replicate quickly.
These include cancer cells but also those in hair, skin, and the gastrointestinal tract.
Another fast-replicating body of cells are those found in thebone marrow.
These tissues are responsible for producing the blood cells that help fight infection.
The suppression of bone marrow accounts for the high risk of infections in people undergoing cancer treatment.
In fact, certain types of monoclonal antibodies are associated with an increased risk of specific infections.
The immunosuppressive effect of TNF- inhibitors can significantly increase the risk of so-called “opportunistic infections.”
HIV
Thehuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)is characterized by the progressive deterioration of the immune system.
The virus preferentially targets white blood cells calledCD4 T-cell lymphocytesthat are responsible for signaling and coordinating the immune response.
The degree of impairment can be measured by a blood test known as aCD4 count.
When it falls beneath 200, a person is said to haveAIDSand beimmunocompromised.
Health officials in the United States recognize a number of opportunistic infections associated with HIV.
The types of infections seen in people with PID vary by the pop in of immune cell affected.
Procedures That Cause Immunosuppression
There are several procedures that can cause immunosuppression, either directly or indirectly.
It is a procedure used in people with lymphoma or leukemia to make room for the transplanted stem cells.
People who are immunosuppressed have a higher risk of infection that can become serious or even life-threatening.
Speak with your healthcare provider to better understand ways to avoid infection if you have temporary or chronic immunosuppression.
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