Recurrent Infections

Evaluating Your Immune System

Grandfather carrying child on shoulders outdoors in richmond, va representing healthy immune system and allergy care

Do you feel as if you are always sick? If you or your child seem to experience sickness year after year and season after season, there may be a reason. Recurrent infections can be a sign of a problem with your immune system. At Richmond Allergy & Asthma Specialists, we help patients throughout Richmond understand why infections return again and again and what we can do to prevent them.

What Are Recurrent Infections?

Recurrent infections are infections that occur frequently, are unusually severe, or take longer than normal to resolve. While it’s common for some people, especially children, to experience multiple sicknesses a year, concerning patterns could indicate an underlying condition.

Examples of these infections include:

  • Frequent sinus infections or chronic sinusitis
  • Repeated ear infections
  • Persistent bronchitis or pneumonia
  • Recurring skin infections
  • Frequent reliance on antibiotics with limited improvement

Understanding the Immune System

Your immune system is made up of white blood cells, antibodies and proteins that all work together to detect and eliminate threats. It keeps you healthy by protecting the body from harmful bacteria and viruses. When infections happen again and again, and are difficult to fight off, it may be a sign of immunodeficiency, meaning your immune system is not functioning as effectively as it should.

Why Is It Important That The Immune System Functions Properly?

When your immune system is not working properly, it is known as immunodeficiency and can cause the body to struggle to fight off infections. There are two main types: primary immunodeficiency and secondary immunodeficiency. Both can lead to recurrent infections and require evaluation by an allergist and treatment to manage it.

Primary immunodeficiency is

  • Usually present from birth
  • Caused by genetics
  • Sometimes not be diagnosed until later in life

  • Develop later in life
  • Can be caused by chronic diseases or medications such as steroids
Smiling couple outdoors in richmond, va representing strong immune health and allergy care after recurrent infections.

Signs Of Possible Immunodeficiencies

It’s not always easy to distinguish between a normal illness and a potential immune problem. If you or your child experience the following symptoms, our allergists can help evaluate you to determine if your immune system is a factor. Warning signs may include:

  • Multiple ear infections a year (in children)
  • Several serious sinus infections a year
  • Recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis
  • Frequent infections that require multiple courses of antibiotics
  • Infections that do not respond to treatment
  • A family history of immunodeficiency

Evaluating Patients With Recurrent Infections

Using a patient-centered approach, our team evaluates your history, symptoms and immune function to identify whether allergies, asthma or an immunodeficiency may be contributing to frequent illness. This evaluation will include a detailed talk about your medical history and symptoms, a comprehensive exam and may include a blood test or allergy medicine.

Treating Recurrent Infections In Henrico, VA

Treatment for patients with infections depends on the underlying cause. Our goal is to reduce the frequency and severity of infections while improving your overall quality of life. Your treatment will be personalized for your symptoms and condition, but may include:

  • Infection Prevention: Taking proactive measures to prevent infections can include vaccinations to strengthen immune response or preventative antibiotics when appropriate.

  • Lifestyle Changes: While it may sound simple, getting good sleep, reducing stress and making sure to diligently practice good hygiene practices may help you avoid infections.

  • Allergy, Asthma And Eczema Management: We may recommend effectively treating your allergies, asthma and eczema to help reduce inflammation and decrease risk of recurrent infections.

FAQs About Recurrent Infections

We understand how frustrating repeated infections can be, not to mention disruptive. Our team specializes in diagnosing and managing complex immune-related conditions with an individualized, comprehensive approach. Learn more about recurrent infections and how we can help you feel better.

Allergies and asthma can sometimes mimic or contribute to recurrent infections. For example, nasal inflammation from allergies can block sinus drainage, leading to sinus infections. Chronic inflammation can also weaken the body’s natural defenses.

  • Asthma can increase susceptibility to respiratory infections
  • Chronic inflammation may weaken the body’s natural defenses

At Richmond Allergy & Asthma Specialists, we evaluate whether allergies or asthma are playing a role in your symptoms and develop a treatment plan that addresses all contributing factors.

Children tend to get more infections than adults, especially in early childhood. However, unusually frequent or severe infections in adults can still signal a problem with the immune system and should still be taken seriously.

You should consider seeing our allergy specialists if your infections are frequent, severe or difficult to treat.

In many cases, yes. Proper diagnosis and treatment coupled with preventative strategies can significantly reduce the frequency of your infections.

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