Infections Hypogammaglobulinemia Can Cause

Pneumonia

Pneumonia mainly affects the air sacs in the lungs or the aveoli because it is an infection that triggers inflammation in those components of the lung. Both bacteria and viruses can be responsible for the infection much like the infections that cause bronchial inflammation. Viruses that cause this infection most often are respiratory syncytial virus, human parainfluenza virus, rhinovirus, influenza, and adenovirus. Bacteria that often cause the infection of the air sacs are streptococcus pneumoniae, mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Legionella. These viruses and bacteria can infect the body through mucous membrane contact with the air, objects, and bodily fluids of someone who is infected. Hypogammaglobulinemia patients do not have immune systems with enough immunoglobulins to destroy most of these viruses and bacteria before they have a chance to enter into the body and reproduce. Serious complications and death can result from untreated infections of this kind because the constriction of the air channels in the lungs results in the buildup of mucus, which makes it hard for oxygen to reach the blood the way it usually would.

Learn more about the infections hypogammaglobulinemia can trigger now.