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Housecall, our weekly general-interest e-newsletter, keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics with timely, reliable, practical information, recipes, blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts and more. Our biweekly topic-specific e-newsletters also include blogs, questions and answers with Mayo Clinic experts, and other useful information that will help you manage your health.
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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffBecause primary immune disorders are caused by genetic defects, there's no way to prevent them. But when you or your child have a weakened immune system, you can take steps to prevent infections:
- Use proper hygiene. Wash your hands and skin with mild soap, and brush your teeth twice a day.
- Eat right. A healthy, balanced diet can help prevent infections.
- Avoid exposure. Stay away from people with colds or other infections and avoid crowds of people.
- Take your medications. You may need to take regular medications to prevent infection.
- Check with your doctor about which vaccinations you should have.
References
- Primary immunodeficiency. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/primary_immuno.cfm. Accessed May 31, 2009.
- Introduction: Immunodeficiency disorders. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec13/ch164/ch164a.html?qt=primary immunodeficiency&alt=sh. Accessed May 31, 2009.
- 10 warning signs of primary immunodeficiency. Primary Immunodeficiency Resource Center of The Jeffrey Modell Foundation. Accessed May 31, 2009.
- Primary immunodeficiency diseases. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/topicofthemonth/0407/. Accessed May 31, 2009.
- Specific medical therapy. In: Blaese R, et al. IDF Patient and Family Handbook for Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases. 4th ed. Towson, Md.: Immune Deficiency Foundation; 2007. Accessed June 3, 2009.
