Immunosuppression characterizes a state in which the immune system is particularly weakened and is no longer able to cope with external attacks (antigens). These people are therefore particularly exposed to the diseases that circulate.

This condition, both pathology and disease, is characterized by a general weakening of the immune system. It is a deficit of immunity, which makes the person vulnerable to external attacks by antigens, whether they are bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxic agents.

Our immune system works on the basis of cells and proteins, genetically programmed to fight external aggressions. Each of them has its own function, and each is essential. All these cells act together to operate in the defense of the organism by fighting the antigen which undermines the proper functioning of the organism, and endangers the general health of the individual.

With each attack, the immune system gains more information and experience about the different antigens, to prepare for a subsequent attack. It thus strengthens over the course of attacks and years of life, keeping in mind the defense solutions acquired. Immunosuppression is a failure of this complex defense system. It can occur at any time of life: birth, childhood, adolescence, adulthood.

Immunosuppression can come from a genetic inheritance or set in as a result of other pathologies. It can also occur due to environmental factors, behavioral factors, or following medication.

The most well-known pathology responsible for immunodeficiency is HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). It is then called “acquired immunodeficiency syndrome”.

The HIV virus is an immunosuppressive factor because it causes a decrease in the number of white blood cells, making the body more vulnerable to infections.

Other factors also cause this state of immunosuppression:

• malnutrition ;
• the cancer ;
• severe heart, respiratory or kidney failure;
• obesity;
• diabetes (types 1 and 2);
• chemotherapy (cancer therapy).

There are two kinds of immunosuppression:

• primary immune deficiency (PID): it is defined by a failure or absence of certain defense cells;
• secondary immunodeficiency (SID): it is defined by the action of an external factor that would cause immunosuppression (drugs, malnutrition or obesity, etc.).

There is a very high risk of contracting serious infections for people who are immunocompromised. Their mortality and morbidity (all the effects of a past illness) are therefore greater.

The risk of cancer is also greater: in fact, it is the immune system which, in a healthy individual, is responsible for destroying cancer cells.

Symptoms of the immunocompromised state are:

• intense and prolonged fatigue;
• vulnerability to potentially serious infections;
• longer cures, despite appropriate treatments;
• vulnerability to pathologies;
• sudden changes in weight, height.

Regarding vaccines, some may not be recommended in cases of immunosuppression, in order to avoid undesirable effects following uncontrolled replication of the vaccine virus. As the immune system is no longer reliable, it is advisable to remain cautious when injecting vaccines.

Basic vaccines are recommended, and additional vaccines should follow a certain schedule. It is preferable to vaccinate the person before a foreseeable deterioration of his condition, or after a state of temporary immunosuppression (chemotherapy).

Antibiotics are most often used to treat the many recurrent infections that suffer from immunocompromised people.

In the most severe cases, it is possible to proceed with a transplant of stem cells of the immune system, from a compatible donor.

These stem cells, obtained from the donor’s bone marrow are then injected into the bone marrow of the immunocompromised. The immune system is thus forced to use these new cells to work in the defense of the body. However, this procedure carries risks, and the target immune system can reject the transplant, causing further weakening of the organism. In order to maximize the chances of success, the transplant should preferably be operated between members of the same family (brothers and sisters, ideally).

Another option can be gene therapy, in the case of hereditary immunosuppression: this practice aims to correct the gene responsible for the immunosuppression. But this technique is still in the testing phase, and little applied.

Immunosuppressive drugs are also prescribed to treat autoimmune or inflammatory diseases, as well as vitamins and minerals (vitamin D, zinc). Finally, the immunocompromised person is isolated in order to protect them as well as possible from infections and pathologies.

When the patient notices the appearance of recurrent and recurrent diseases, ranging from benign to serious, it is advisable to consult a doctor without delay, mentioning all the recurrences, and all types of pathologies.

It can be ear infections, diarrhea, mild lung infections, or yeast infections.

The clinical signs listed to suspect and diagnose immunosuppression are:

• recurrent respiratory tract diseases (4 to 10 times a year);
• severe recurrent infections;
• unusual pathologies;
• a sharp change in the weight and height curve (in children);
• family history.