Primary immunodeficiency challenging to diagnose
Symptoms can mimic those of other conditions, says UCI Health allergist
IN THE NEWS: Those with one of the hundreds of types of primary immunodeficiency (PI) have a weakened immune system, making them more prone to illness and infection.
Diagnosing PI is tricky because its symptoms often mimic those of other conditions.
Dr. Yesim Yilmaz Demirdag, an immunologist and allergist with UCI Health, spoke with HealthCentral about how physicians approach it.
“Your doctor will likely first ask you questions that relate to your infection history. They can include the types of infections you get — for example, sinus infections or pneumonia) — and how often and how many courses of antibiotics you need in a year to treat them.”
“They will also ask you questions about your family history, including autoimmune disease or chronic inflammatory conditions, both of which are connect to PI risk.”
Blood tests are also important, she notes.
Demirdag specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of immunodeficiencies in children and adults, as well as asthma, food allergies and eczema in children. Her clinical interests include hives, swelling, rhinitis, sinusitis, drug allergies, eosinophilic esophagitis and stinging insect allergies.
Her research interests include the genetics of primary immune deficiencies, immune deficiencies in chromosomal abnormalities, eczema and food allergies.
Demirdag is an associate professor and director of the Allergy and Immunology Fellowship Program at the UC Irvine School of Medicine.
She sees patients at UCI Health Allergy and Immunology Services. Make an appointment by calling 949-824-8600.
About UCI Health
UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,317-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Medical Center, its flagship hospital in Orange, Calif., the UCI Health — Irvine medical campus, four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and a network of ambulatory care centers across the region. UCI Medical Center provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to the only Orange County-based National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).