Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Common variable immunodeficiency, also called CVID, is an immune system disorder that causes low levels of the proteins in the body that help fight infections. People with CVID have repeated infections in the ears, sinuses and the system for breathing, called the respiratory system.
There’s also an increased risk of digestive disorders, autoimmune disorders, blood disorders and cancer. CVID can be passed through families, called inherited.
How bad symptoms are varies greatly between people with CVID. Symptoms of common variable immunodeficiency may appear during childhood or the teen years. But many people don’t get symptoms until they’re adults.
If you have CVID, you’ll likely have repeated infections before being diagnosed. The most common types of infections include pneumonia, sinusitis, ear infections and gastrointestinal infections.
In most CVID cases, the cause is unknown. In around 10% of people with CVID, a gene change has been found. Researchers believe that the condition is caused by a mix of factors in the environment and in genes. As of now, the environmental factors are unclear.
References
- Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-treatments/primary-immunodeficiency-disease/common-variable-immunodeficiency. Accessed Dec. 21, 2023.
- Bennett JE, et al. Adaptive immunity: Antibodies and immunodeficiencies. In: Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Dec. 21, 2023.
- Common variable immune deficiency. Genetics Home Reference. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/common-variable-immune-deficiency/#definition. Accessed Dec. 21, 2023.
- Ami TR. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Dec. 6, 2023.
- Goldman L, et al., eds. Primary immunodeficiency diseases. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Elsevier; 2024. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 20, 2023.
Ad
Women have unique health issues. And some of the health issues that affect both men and women can affect women differently.
Book your appointment TODAY!
Search on the closest Doctor to your location and book based on specialty. EARN 10 POINTS more with CuraPOINT.
BOOK