Immune System Diseases: List of Immune System Disorders

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Immune system is the body's strongest and the most efficient mechanism of self defense against all sorts of parasites. As soon as immune system encounters one, it sets in action and destroys it completely. There are several harmful bacteria, viruses and other foreign bodies which have a high potential of inducing lethal infections in human body. Our immune system produces special antibodies for each of these micro-organisms. Thus, had it not been for our immune system, we would have all been victims of some infection or the other. However, an ill-functioning immune system can play havoc in the body by causing plethora of diseases and disorders. More on immune system facts.

Immune System Diseases List
Immune system diseases and disorders are categorized depending upon the activity of the immune system. An over active immune system has as much potential for inducing health hazards as an under active immune system. Following is the list of immune system disorders, depending upon the activity of immune system.

Immune System Diseases List: Under Active Immune System

* Immune Deficiency Conditions
* SCID
* AIDS

Immune System Diseases List: Over Active Immune System

* Allergies (food, drug, insect sting, particular substance)
* Anaphylaxis
* Asthma
* Autoimmune Diseases

Other Immune System Disorders

* Chediak-Higashi Syndrome
* Common Variable Immunodeficiency
* Hay Fever
* Hives
* HTLV
* Hyper-IgE Syndrome
* Hyper-IgM Syndrome
* Primary Immune Deficiency
* Selective IgA Deficiency
* Skin allergies
* X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia

Immune Deficiency Conditions: This is the largest group of immune system diseases and disorders and comprises of variety of diseases that suppress the immune system. Often, the cause of immune deficiency conditions is some underlying chronic illness. Immune system diseases symptoms for immune deficiency conditions are same as that of the underlying disease.

SCID: SCID is an immune system disorder which is hereditary. The cause of SCID is a series of genetic abnormalities, particularly on the X chromosome. Several types of recurrent infections are common in people suffering from SCID. Besides, they are also prone to meningitis, pneumonia, measles, chicken pox, oral candida, cold sores, blood disorders, etc. Immune system diseases in children suffering from SCID, become evident in first 3 months of birth.

AIDS: HIV/AIDS is a serious immune failure and a leading cause of death worldwide. AIDS occurs in the later stages of progression of HIV and causes the immune system of the body to collapse completely. AIDS is considered as a life threatening sexually transmitted disease, though can be transmitted through the means of blood transfusion as well. Chances of survival in AIDS patients are negligible, if diagnosed in later stages. Immune system disorders symptoms for AIDS range from common cold and flu to serious ones like pneumonia and cancer.

Allergies: Allergies can be defined as an aggravated immune response to a normally harmless substance. There are myriad allergens such as pollen grains, mold spores, latex rubber and certain food items like peanuts or drugs like penicillin, etc. which can cause allergies. Often, there are more than one allergen responsible for inducing allergic reactions in a person. Although, allergy symptoms are often of mild consequence, medical intervention is advised to diagnose the underlying problem. More on food allergies.

Anaphylaxis: Anaphylaxis is a serious and extreme form of allergy. In this condition, the allergen acts as a trigger and causes a series of physical discomforts in a person. Anaphylaxis may lead to an emergency, if not diagnosed and treated on time.

Asthma: Asthma, a chronic lung disorder, is caused due to inflammation of the air passage. Allergens, irritants or even stimulants such as physical activity can trigger the inflammation and induce variety of discomforts in a person. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, etc.

Autoimmune Diseases: Autoimmune diseases is a group of immune system disorders, in which the cells of immune system misinterpret signals and start attacking its own body cells. Autoimmune diseases cause serious health hazards in an individual. The list of autoimmune diseases is quite long.

Chediak-Higashi Syndrome: Chediak-Higashi syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder which is caused due to mutations in LYST gene. This syndrome affects all the major organs and halts their functioning. It damages the cells of the immune system and renders them ineffective against micro-organisms and other invaders. Thus, the person suffers from recurrent infections. Bone marrow transplants is the most effective and successful treatment for patients with severe Chediak-Higashi syndrome. Alternatively, vitamins to boost immune system can also be taken, if the condition is not severe. More on immune system boosters and foods that boost immune system.

Common Variable Immunodeficiency: Common variable immunodeficiency syndrome results due to the reduced number of anti bodies in the body. This disorder is mostly found in human beings. Although, it may be present at the time of birth, the symptoms do not surface until the person enters his twenties. Symptoms include bacterial infections of the ears, sinuses, bronchi and lungs. Painful swollen joints in the knee, ankle, elbow or wrist are also common. Some patients may report enlarged lymph nodes, spleen, etc.

Hay Fever: Hay fever is pretty similar to allergies due to air-borne substances like pollen, mold spores or even animal dander. The symptoms include, runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing etc. Hay fever is also called allergic rhinitis and affects over 35 million people in the US alone.

Hives: Hives is the skin's response to an allergen. The allergen in this case is food or some plant. Weals develop on the surface of the skin, as a reaction to the allergen. These weals are often itchy and rounded or flat topped. Apart from the itchy elevated skin, the other symptoms for hives include swollen lips, tongue and face.

HTLV: Human T-cell lymphotropic viruses (retroviruses), HTLV-I, HTLV-II seriously affect the human immune system. They are most prevalent among drug users and people with multiple sex partners. People with genital ulcers and a history of syphilis are also prone to HTLV. The mode of transmission of HTLV is through intimate sexual contact, blood transfusion or during pregnancy.

Hyper-IgE Syndrome: Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome or job's syndrome is a group of variety of immune disorders. This condition is characterized by recurrent staphylococcus infection and skin rashes, similar to eczema. It is a genetic disorder and inheritance can be dominant or recessive. People with dominant hyper-IgE syndrome are unable to lose their primary teeth and thus have two sets of teeth.

Hyper-IgM Syndrome: Hyper IgM is a rare immunodeficiency disease. In this condition, the immune system fails to generate two types of antibodies, IgA and IgG. The cause of this disease is a defective gene in T-cells. Due to this defect, the B cells do not get the signal to produce IgA and IgG anti bodies, and thus, continue producing IgM antibodies.

Primary Immune Deficiency: Primary immunodeficiency diseases are a group of immune system diseases caused due to genetic abnormalities. In this case, people are born with faulty immune system. The symptoms and effects are same as that in AIDS, but unlike AIDS the cause is not acquired.

Selective IgA Deficiency: This is a special immunodeficiency in which the immune system fails to generate antibodies of type IgA. These antibodies protect the body against infections of mucus membranes lining the mouth and digestive tract. Obviously, in their absence, body is exposed to several infections of mucus membrane.

Skin Allergies: Skin allergies are similar to any other allergy, only the immunological response is expressed through skin. Skin allergies are again an aggravated response of the immune system to certain harmless substances. Skin allergies are characterized by red, itchy skin upon which lesions and weals develop.

X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia: X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia is a genetic disorder in which the body's ability to fight against infections is hampered. The immune system does not produce enough antibodies to combat infections. Naturally, the body falls prey to a plethora of infections.

The above immune system diseases list only takes major immune disorders into consideration. Apart from the above mentioned disorders, there are several genetic and acquired immunodeficiency diseases that affect millions of people all over the world. Since, immune system protects us from various infections and illnesses, special attempts must be made towards strengthening it.