Inherited Immune System Disorders
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Inherited Immune System Disorders | Inherited immune system disorders are diseases in which children are born without an immune system or with an incomplete immune system. People with an immune system disorder are less able to fight infections. While these disorders are rare, there are about 100 different types, which range from mild to severe. About 50,000 people in the United States have some type of inherited immune system disorder. Inherited immune system disorders are also called primary immune deficiency disorders. They are called "primary" because they are caused by a gene defect that affects the immune system. Genes carry an inherited code of instructions that tells the body how to make every cell and protein in the body. (Secondary immune deficiencies are caused by something outside the body, such as chemotherapy or infection with a virus.)
Hits: 2627
|