Warning Signs

10 Warning Signs of Primary Immunodeficiency

for Children up to age 18

If your child has two or more of these signs, ask your doctor about Primary Immunodeficiency. It could save your child’s life.

  1. Four or more new ear infections within 1 year.
  2. Two or more serious sinus infections within 1 year.
  3. Two or more months on antibiotics with little effect.
  4. Two or more pneumonias within 1 year.
  5. Failure of an infant to gain weight or grow normally.
  6. Recurrent, deep skin or organ abscesses.
  7. Persistent thrush in mouth or fungal infection on skin.
  8. Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections.
  9. Two or more deep-seated infections including septicemia.
10. A family history of Primary Immunodeficiency.

These warning signs were developed by the Jeffrey Modell Foundation Medical Advisory Board ©2009 Jeffrey Modell Foundation.

for Adults

If you have two or more of these signs, speak to your doctor about a possible Primary Immunodeficiency.

  1. Two or more new ear infections within 1 year.
  2. Two or more new sinus infections within 1 year, in the absence of allergy.
  3. One pneumonia per year for more than 1 year.
  4. Chronic diarrhea with weight loss.
  5. Recurrent viral infections (colds, herpes, warts, condyloma).
  6. Recurrent need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections.
  7. Recurrent, deep abscesses of the skin or internal organs.
  8. Persistent thrush or fungal infection on skin or elsewhere.
  9. Infection with normally harmless tuberculosis-like bacteria.
10. A family history of Primary Immunodeficiency.

These warning signs were developed by the Jeffrey Modell Foundation Medical Advisory Board ©2009 Jeffrey Modell Foundation.

When a physician suspects a PI, the individual ought to be referred to an immunologist.. Blood samples from the patient will be tested to evaluate the functioning of the immune system. The tests are very specific and accurate. The results of the tests, along with the history of infections and current health, will provide the basis for a sound diagnosis. The Canadian Immunodeficiency Society strongly suggests that diagnosis be made by an immunologist.

Because PI is genetic, it may be advisable for blood relatives of the patient to be tested for PI. In some cases, even a fetus can be tested for a specific disease.