One of our primary purposes as parents is to keep our children safe and healthy, and if your child has an immune system disorder, this can be much more difficult than it normally would be. It can be terrifying to see your child get so ill so easily. But this doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do as a parent. Here are some tips to help you manage your child’s health and to make sure they have as full and as normal a life as possible.
Causes of a Weakened Immune System
There are lots of different conditions that can result in a weakened immune system, and people of all ages can suffer from them. But if your child is born with an immunodeficiency, it’s known as “primary immunodeficiency”. This is an umbrella term that describes over 300 disorders that we know of.
Primary immunodeficiency is often caused by genetics. Your child may have been born with an incomplete immune system or one that doesn’t function properly. This makes them more likely to get sick and makes it more difficult for them to recover.
Your immune system can also be weakened by illnesses and chronic conditions, which are often associated with opportunistic illnesses that are more common in these patients. Some medications can also weaken the immune system. This is called acquired immune deficiency. It can be temporary or permanent, depending on what caused it.
The Symptoms of Immunodeficiency
One of the most obvious and common symptoms of immunodeficiency is that a person gets ill a lot more than everyone else, and it takes them longer to recover. Treatments that are designed to work along with the natural immune system might not be as effective as they should be. Someone with a compromised immune system might also get opportunistic infections, which are illnesses that are very uncommon for patients who have a healthy immune system.
Other symptoms might include:
- Digestive issues
- Delayed growth and development
- Blood disorders
- Autoimmune disorders
Getting a Diagnosis
Because there are so many different illnesses and conditions that cause immunodeficiency, it might be less noticeable in some children. Some people have milder forms of the condition, which might not be noticed until adulthood, if ever. But some children are so severe that they’re obvious shortly after birth.
It’s difficult to see your child being ill more often than they should be. So it’s important to keep an eye on these symptoms and, if you suspect there’s a problem, try to get a diagnosis.
One thing that can help is to track each illness your child gets, even every cold or sickness bug, and write down when they get it, their symptoms, and how long it takes them to recover. This can be helpful when you’re trying to explain your concerns to a doctor.
Preventing Infection
The best thing that parents can do is to try to prevent infections and illnesses as much as possible. It’s important to find a balance between your child being happy and your child being safe. Your doctor will give you specific advice with your child’s needs in mind, especially because some cases are far more severe than others.
As a general rule, it’s a good idea to practice good hygiene to reduce the risk of getting sick. Teach your child to wash their hands often, especially after using the bathroom and before eating food. You should also teach them to brush their teeth twice a day, as this makes them less likely to get cavities or infections in their mouth.
If you know someone is ill, then stay away. Try to avoid large crowds and consider getting your child to wear a mask. It’s also a good idea to try to avoid getting ill yourself, as you could pass your minor illness to your child.
Supporting General Health
Good general health can boost your child’s immune system, making it more able to handle infections and illnesses. You should also teach your child how to look after themselves.
For example, a good diet can do a lot to help your child be as healthy as possible. Make sure to provide a balanced diet so their growing body has everything it needs, and include a lot of immune-boosting foods like fish, berries, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, and brightly colored vegetables.
Sleep is also vital for a good immune system, so make sure your child has healthy sleeping habits and gets enough sleep. When they are ill, help them get as much sleep as possible, as this is when your body fights back.
They should also try to keep active. Fun can be a great help because it prevents your child from getting stressed and depressed, which can weaken the immune system, and games where your child has to run around will keep them active.
When Your Child is Acutely Unwell
One of the biggest risk factors of any immunodeficiency is that even minor illnesses can rapidly turn into something a lot more serious. If your child becomes unwell, you should keep a very close eye on them.
Take their temperature throughout the illness to make sure that they don’t develop a dangerous fever. If they become overly lethargic or show signs of an infection, you should take them to see the doctor.
Potential Treatments to Manage Immunodeficiencies
The good news is that there are loads of research being done to treat immunodeficiencies. It’s always worth speaking to your doctor about new developments in the field, as they can prevent your child from getting sick as often.
For example, Cutaquig is an immunoglobulin solution designed to treat people with primary deficiency. It’s injected under the skin and can boost the immune system by replacing missing or damaged antibodies.
It’s also worth talking about whether your child can or should take vaccines. Depending on the severity of your child’s immunodeficiency, vaccines could prevent certain diseases like the flu or COVID-19. But some people can’t have vaccines, so discuss this with a medical professional.
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