Key Takeaways
Adult immune deficiency can cause recurrent, severe, unusual, or difficult-to-treat infections and may be inherited or develop later in life.
An allergist/immunologist can evaluate your immune system through your medical history and specialized testing, including blood tests that measure antibodies and other components of immune function.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include infection prevention, treatment of an underlying condition, or immunoglobulin replacement therapy for certain antibody deficiencies.
Recurrent Infections & Immune System Evaluation in Houston
If you frequently experience infections that are severe, slow to resolve, unusually recurrent, or difficult to treat, an underlying problem with your immune system may be contributing.
Adult immune deficiency occurs when part of the immune system does not function properly, making it harder for the body to fight certain infections. Immune deficiencies may be inherited (primary immunodeficiency) or develop later because of medications, medical treatments, infections, or other health conditions (secondary immunodeficiency).
At CLS Health, our allergy and immunology specialists evaluate adults with recurrent infections and suspected immune deficiencies to identify potential causes and determine whether additional testing or treatment is appropriate.
What Is Adult Immune Deficiency?
Adult immune deficiency occurs when the immune system cannot effectively fight infections.
It may present as:
- Recurrent sinus or lung infections
- Frequent pneumonia
- Infections requiring hospitalization
- Poor vaccine response
Immune deficiencies fall into two categories:
Primary Immunodeficiency
Genetic disorders present from birth, though symptoms may not appear until adulthood.
Secondary (Acquired) Immunodeficiency
More common. Caused by:
- Immunosuppressive medications
- HIV or chronic viral infections
- Cancer or chemotherapy
- Diabetes or chronic organ disease
- Malnutrition
When Should You See an Immunologist for Recurrent Infections?
Consider discussing an immune evaluation with your healthcare provider if you experience:
- Frequent or unusually severe sinus or respiratory infections
- Recurrent pneumonia
- Infections that are difficult to treat or keep returning
- Unusual or opportunistic infections
- Infections requiring repeated antibiotics or hospitalization
- Poor response to certain vaccines
- Recurrent infections along with an autoimmune condition
- A family history of an immune deficiency
The pattern, severity, type, and frequency of infections all matter. Having frequent infections does not necessarily mean you have an immune deficiency, but persistent or unusual infections may warrant further evaluation.
Common Types of Adult Immune Deficiencies
Primary Immune Disorders
- Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID): A condition involving low levels of certain antibodies, which can lead to recurrent respiratory infections and, in some patients, autoimmune complications.
- Selective IgA Deficiency: A condition involving low levels of IgA antibodies. Some people have no symptoms, while others may experience recurrent sinus, respiratory, or gastrointestinal infections.
- Specific Antibody Deficiency: A condition in which immunoglobulin levels may be normal, but the immune system does not produce an adequate antibody response to certain infections or vaccines.
Secondary Immune Deficiency Causes
Most adult immune problems are acquired. Common contributors include:
- Long-term steroid use
- Biologic medications (e.g., rituximab)
- Chemotherapy
- Leukemia or lymphoma
- HIV infection
- Chronic kidney or liver disease
- Poorly controlled diabetes
Secondary forms may improve if the underlying cause is treated.
How Do Immunologists Test for Immune Deficiency?
Diagnosis involves a structured evaluation by an allergist/immunologist.
Step 1: Medical History
We review:
- Infection frequency and severity
- Medication use
- Family history
- Underlying medical conditions
Step 2: Physical Examination
Looking for:
- Chronic infection signs
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Signs of autoimmune disease
Step 3: Laboratory Testing
Initial tests may include:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, IgM)
- Vaccine antibody titers
- Testing for secondary causes, such as HIV, when clinically appropriate
Advanced testing may evaluate:
- T-cell and B-cell counts
- Complement function
- Genetic testing (if primary immunodeficiency suspected)
Concerned About Frequent Infections?
If infections keep returning, an allergy and immunology specialist can evaluate your immune function and help determine whether an underlying immune deficiency may be contributing.
What Type of Doctor Treats Immune Deficiency?
Allergists and immunologists specialize in diagnosing and treating disorders of the immune system, including primary and secondary immune deficiencies. If you experience recurrent, severe, unusual, or difficult-to-treat infections, an allergist/immunologist can evaluate your medical history, infection patterns, medications, and immune function to determine whether an underlying immune disorder may be contributing.
Depending on the cause, your immunologist may also coordinate care with primary care, infectious disease, pulmonology, hematology/oncology, or other specialists.
Treatment Options for Adult Immune Deficiency
Treatment depends on the cause and severity.
Treating Secondary Causes
When an immune deficiency is caused by another medical condition or treatment, your immunologist may work with your other healthcare providers to address the underlying cause when possible.
Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy
For antibody deficiencies such as CVID:
- IVIg (intravenous infusions)
- SCIg (at-home subcutaneous therapy)
For appropriately selected patients with certain antibody deficiencies, immunoglobulin replacement therapy can help reduce the frequency and severity of infections.
Infection Prevention Strategies
- Prophylactic antibiotics when appropriate
- Personalized vaccination plans
- Early treatment of infections
Adult Immune Deficiency Care in Houston
CLS Health provides adult immune deficiency evaluation and treatment through our Allergy & Immunology practices in the Greater Houston area. Our immunologists evaluate recurrent infections, antibody deficiencies, and other concerns involving immune function while coordinating with other specialists when needed.
- Webster (Clear Lake area)
- Houston (Galleria area)
- Houston (Heights area)
- Surrounding Greater Houston communities
Our board-certified allergists and immunologists coordinate care with infectious disease specialists, pulmonologists, and primary care providers when needed.
Early diagnosis can prevent long-term complications such as bronchiectasis, chronic sinus disease, and organ damage.
When to Schedule an Immune Evaluation
You do not need to “wait it out” if infections are persistent or worsening.
An evaluation can:
- Clarify why infections keep recurring
- Identify treatable causes
- Prevent long-term organ damage
- Improve quality of life
Why Choose CLS Health for Immune Deficiency Care?
Patients choose CLS Health for:
- Experienced allergy and immunology specialists
- Evaluation of recurrent and unusual infections
- Specialized immune system testing
- Treatment for primary and secondary immune deficiencies
- Immunoglobulin replacement therapy when appropriate
- Coordinated care with other CLS Health specialties when needed
- Convenient Houston-area locations
Our allergy and immunology team provides personalized evaluation and ongoing care to help identify the cause of recurrent infections and manage underlying immune disorders.
FAQs
An allergist/immunologist specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the immune system, including primary and secondary immune deficiencies. Depending on the underlying cause, care may also involve infectious disease specialists, hematologists, pulmonologists, or primary care providers.
Consider seeing an immunologist if you experience infections that are unusually frequent, severe, difficult to treat, or keep returning. Recurrent pneumonia, persistent sinus or respiratory infections, unusual infections, or infections requiring repeated antibiotics or hospitalization may warrant an immune system evaluation.
Diagnosis typically begins with a review of your infection history, medications, medical conditions, and family history. Blood testing may measure blood cell counts, immunoglobulin levels, and antibody responses to vaccines. Additional immune function or genetic testing may be recommended depending on the results and suspected condition.
Immune deficiencies can be primary or secondary.
- Primary immune deficiencies result from underlying problems with the immune system and may not become apparent until adulthood.
- Secondary immune deficiencies can develop because of medications, cancer or cancer treatment, certain infections, chronic diseases, malnutrition, or other medical conditions.
Yes. Secondary immune deficiencies develop after birth and are more common than primary immune deficiencies in adults. They may result from certain medications or medical treatments, infections, cancer, chronic diseases, or nutritional problems. Some primary immune deficiencies can also first become apparent during adulthood.
Treatment depends on the type, cause, and severity of the immune deficiency. Care may include preventing and promptly treating infections, addressing an underlying medical condition when possible, adjusting medications in coordination with the prescribing provider, or using immunoglobulin replacement therapy for certain antibody deficiencies. Your immunologist will develop a treatment plan based on your individual immune function and health needs.
Schedule an Immune System Evaluation in Houston
Frequent or severe infections aren’t something you should ignore. At CLS Health, our specialists provide comprehensive immune system evaluations to identify the underlying cause and create a personalized treatment plan.
Early diagnosis can reduce complications, prevent long-term damage, and help you regain confidence in your health. Book an appointment with an Allergy & Immunology specialist.
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Allergy and Immunology