IgA Deficiency Support Group

Hi Dawn:

A good resource for you to read is located here:

http://www.primaryimmune.org/public...


You should be able to lead a healthy "normal" life with selective IgA deficiency. There are a few precautions and that is avoid crowd, sick people et al. Wash your hands frequently, hold your breath is someone coughs or sneezes right in your vicinity. And if needed take antibiotics.

There are a few things to be aware of. With selective IgA you may have an allergic reaction to blood transfusions so it is recommended to wear a medic alert advising that you are IgA deficient.

On this board there is a link on naturalpathic medicine. If you read through the old posts it should give you some idea of what you can do herbally to help stave off sick.

Cheers and welcome,
K.

Thank you..I just seen that you posted something..

I completely forgot about posting here...

I am still looking into the iga thing..I did found out that I can't work in the health field and I have to be careful around sick people..

I am not sure if this makes me tired? But thank you so much for your information and the site..

Why do I need a bracelet again?

You can be tested to see if you have anti-IgA antibody in your serum. Not sure if this applies or not to someone that is low in IgA (as opposed to being totally deficient). You can ask your doctor. Basically, if you have this antibody it means that you are allergic to IgA (which is in "unwashed" blood products). I have no IgA at all in my blood and am allergic to it (the anti-IgA antibody) - so, I wear a medic alert bracelet stating this and that I am not to receive unwashed blood products or plasma. Hope this helps.

@forever in. You said, "
I am still looking into the iga thing..I did found out that I can't work in the health field and I have to be careful around sick people..

I am not sure if this makes me tired? But thank you so much for your information and the site..

Why do I need a bracelet again? ""

To answer your questions, first of all 1 in 333 Caucasians have an IgA deficiency. Many are totally without symptoms.

There is no know treatment for low or no IgA.

Question, did you doc tell you what the rest of you immune globulin panel was?
Did he run the anti IgA antibody test?

I have no IgA, and very low IgG and do not wear a bracelet..

If you think about the odds of PERHAPS being in a situation where the following are true, 1. You have the anti IgA antibodies, about 10-20% of patients with Low IgA have them. 2. You are brought into an ER unconscious - a generally rare event. 3. You are unconscious at the ER for an extended period of time. 4. The ER is unable to contact anyone on you emergency list. 5. You are also at the hospital bleeding enough to require a whole blood transfusion, very very rare *(remember whole blood is only given in a hospital. In that case you might have a need for a bracelet.

Oh, you also said, Do I need to take a flu shot now? and swine flu?

I was a Home health aide and the Doctor said that I can't do that anymore?? Is this iga thing that serious?

I have two kids with CVID, no IgG, A, E or M. one is a paramedic and the other is a nursing student.

Everyone needs flu shorts. With just an IgA deficient they should give you protection.

From what you are saying, I have a feeling you have not seen an immunologist, Some allergist try and treat immune deficiency. In fact they have very little training is treating immune compromised patients and try to learn as they go a long. If i were you , I'd ask the doc how many patients he currently treats with immune deficiencies. If it is less than 10, I'd contract the IDF and get a referral to an expert.
Lastly, you said they found this as a result of an accident. remember, the insurance company for the other party does not have to pay for anything other than what directly resulted from the accident.
Since the accident is not a result of the accident, you or your medical insurance carrier could be responsibly for any cost associated with it.

Hi Dawn..
I'm still learning about all of this I have CVID.
I do know that mark who commented above me is an awesome source of information. also there is a kelli on the CVID site who is great source of info.
My thought would be being a home health aid why not work w/ a different population. instead of the sick maybe the diasabled or elderly? There are people who do work in the medical field and have so for years. It really depends on your own symptoms and environment. Like i said before I have CVID. But I still plan on becoming an RN. I just need to watch what I specialize in and take standard percaustions. it doesn't hurt to wear masks (onces dental offices use are great) when someone is sick that your taking care of. Alot of the time if you tell them why they are pretty good about not being offended. especially if you have worked with them for a while and built a bond.. :)

Thanks everyone for your feedback..I did see a allergies and immune doctor and he tested me again and my iga was 70.So he said I was fine..Even though at one time he said it was 52 it can go up and down and nothing to worry about and he said that 52 isn't ever considered a immune deficiency he said it has to be like 5 or 10..So I am fine..He said take that off my list of many elements..lol..

I was just diagnosed two days ago with IgA Deficiency. However my understanding is selective IgA is when you have zero IgA levels. Otherwise it is just referred to as IgA deficiency rather than selective IgA deficiency. I have to admit all of this has been overwhelming and I feel like I am drowning in a sea of information, a sea of mixed emotions and feelings, etc. I don't know where to start with trying to understand everything there is to know. About work and school rights, the diagnosis itself, etc. I understand the only treatment option is Prophalaxes (sp check) antibiotics. Anyone else feel this way when they were diagnosed? How did you cope and get a handle on things? I have other health issues along with this, IBS, PTSD, Asthma, hypoglycemia, Anxiety disorder, etc. Thank you all for any and all help that you can give :)