What are the symptoms of primary immunodeficiency?
Primary immunodeficiency affects your body's ability to fight infections, and symptoms can appear in children or adults. The most common signs include frequent or severe infections that keep coming back, or getting sick from germs that don't usually make others ill.
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What are the symptoms of primary immunodeficiency?
Primary immunodeficiency affects your body's ability to fight infections, and symptoms can appear in children or adults. The most common signs include frequent or severe infections that keep coming back, or getting sick from germs that don't usually make others ill.
Common infection-related symptoms include:
* Ear infections
* Sinus infections
* Pneumonia and bronchitis
* Meningitis
* Skin infections
* Thrush (fungal infection)
Other symptoms you might experience:
* Enlarged spleen
* Swollen lymph nodes
* Unexplained weight loss
* Frequent diarrhea or digestive issues
* Fatigue that doesn't improve with rest
* Poor growth and development in children
* Severe reactions to live vaccines
Skin changes are also common, affecting nearly half of people with PI. These can include rashes, discoloration, wounds that won't heal, painful sores, or severe viral infections like HPV or herpes.
If you're experiencing recurrent infections or any combination of these symptoms, it's important to talk with your healthcare provider about testing for PI.
November 5, 2025