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Tips for Staying Healthy

Be your own advocate

Care for PI varies by center—for instance, some centers require chest x-rays every six months, others just treat as needed for specific infections. That’s why you are your own best advocate: just ask about any changes in care that result from a change in centers or doctors, and make sure you receive what you need.

Say ’no’ to alcohol

As you’re probably aware, blood work is done to monitor your liver function while on IVIG therapy. Because liver function is changed while consuming alcohol, you might be putting yourself at greater risk overall. Generally, anything more than moderate drinking can be harmful to your health.1

Thumbs down on smoking

Patients with immune problems have a greater risk for lung damage over a period of time. When you have problems with infections in your nose, sinuses, lungs, or frequent pneumonias, your lungs may have chronic or long-term changes from the bacteria, or viruses causing the damage. Smoking puts you at greater risk for more problems as you get older. So help yourself out: don’t light up.

Keep a health diary

Write down and report to your doctor every illness, minor and major, you experience. The frequency of these illnesses can influence the therapy prescribed by your physician. The goal of any care is to reduce the frequency of infections, prevent complications and prevent an acute infection from becoming a chronic one.2

Parenting Children with PI

Find information on working with your school and your child’s educational rights.

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Counter measures2

The common cough and cold can be frequent, unwelcome visitors to those with immune deficiency. Following are some over-the-counter medications that help treat the symptoms. Use only if necessary, and of course, check with your physicians before starting any course of treatment.

  • Stuffy nose: decongestants help you breathe more easily.
  • Runny nose: antihistamines help dry it up.
  • Allergies: antihistamines such as diphenhydramine can be used to relieve symptoms such as rash, chest tightness or wheezing, runny nose, and other allergy symptoms.
  • Coughs: expectorants help to clear the lungs and lower airway of dust, bacteria, and other foreign particles.
  1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Finding Your Way to A Healthier You, Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, January 2005. Available at: www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/pdf/brochure.pdf. Accessed September 28, 2006.
  2. Blaese RM, Winkelstein J. Patient & Family Handbook for Primary Immunodeficieincy Diseases. Towson, MD: Immune Deficiency Foundation; 2007.