Treating PID
Children with PID receive antibiotics to treat infections. Antibiotics are sometimes given on a long-term basis to help prevent infections.
Intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) therapy is the standard treatment for people who have forms of PID where the body cannot produce antibodies. IVIG is a blood product made of antibodies. It strengthens a child's immune system by providing the antibodies the immune system cannot produce on its own. IVIG is also called Gamma.
In severe cases of PID, patients may need a bone marrow transplant.
IVIG is given to your child through an IV
The word intravenous (IV) means IVIG is given directly into your child's vein. A nurse will put a hollow needle into a vein in your child's hand or arm. The IVIG will slowly flow into your child's vein through a tube attached to the needle. This is called an infusion.
IVIG infusions usually take a few hours, and are given every three to four weeks to keep antibody levels high in the blood.
There are certain vaccines your child should not have
In children with PID, some immunizations (vaccinations or shots) may cause serious illness or even death. A child with PID should NOT receive the following live virus vaccines:
- oral poliovirus vaccine
- measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine
- Bacille-Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine against tuberculosis (TB)
- chickenpox (varicella) vaccine
- rotavirus vaccine
- yellow fever vaccine
Talk to your child's doctor at the immunology clinic before your child has any immunizations.