An immune disorder is a dysfunction of the immune system.[1] These disorders can be characterized in several different ways:

  • By the component(s) of the immune system affected
  • By whether the immune system is overactive or underactive
  • By whether the condition is congenital or acquired

Quick Facts Other names, Specialty ...
Immune disorder
Other namesAutoimmune disease
SpecialtyImmunology
Close

According to the International Union of Immunological Societies, more than 150 primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs) have been characterized.[2] However, the number of acquired immunodeficiencies exceeds the number of PIDs.[3]

It has been suggested that most people have at least one primary immunodeficiency.[4] Due to redundancies in the immune system, though, many of these are never detected.

Autoimmune diseases

An autoimmune disease is a condition arising from an abnormal immune response to a normal body part.[5] There are at least 80 types of autoimmune diseases.[5] Nearly any body part can be involved. Common symptoms include low-grade fever and feeling tired.[5] Often symptoms come and go.[5]

List of some autoimmune disorders

Immunodeficiencies

Primary immune deficiency diseases are those caused by inherited genetic mutations. Secondary or acquired immune deficiencies are caused by something outside the body such as a virus or immune suppressing drugs.[6]

Primary immune diseases are at risk to an increased susceptibility to, and often recurrent ear infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis or skin infections. Immunodeficient patients may less frequently develop abscesses of their internal organs, autoimmune or rheumatologic and gastrointestinal problems.[7]

Primary immune deficiencies
Secondary immune deficiencies

Allergies

An allergy is an abnormal immune reaction to a harmless antigen.[citation needed]

See also

References

Wikiwand in your browser!

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.

Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.

Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.