Are you getting sick frequently? Maybe the cause is CVID (Common Variable Immunodeficiency)!

Do you often get colds, flu, and coughs? Or do you rarely go a month without an ear, throat, or chest infection? Sometimes we think this is normal, "This is how my body works." While your friends get a little cold and get better in two or three days, do you get the same thing for weeks and it doesn't get better, perhaps even progressing to pneumonia? The real reason for these things may not be your body. Today we are going to talk about a disease that is hidden behind this, but that no one talks about much. That is CVID.

Simply put, what is CVID?

CVID is the full name for Common Variable Immunodeficiency . This is a genetic condition that affects our immune system. Simply put, our body is like a country. There is an army to protect that country. This army is our immune system. This army fights off foreign invaders, such as viruses and bacteria, and protects our body from getting sick.

In this army, there are some soldiers who have received special training. We call them antibodies . These antibodies are a type of protein. When a germ enters the body, these antibodies go and recognize that germ, fight it, and destroy it.

Now, this is what happens to someone with CVID. Their body produces very few of these soldiers called antibodies. That means their body's army is weak. So when a germ enters the body, there aren't enough soldiers to fight it off. The result is that they get sick more often. Also, the illness they get can be more severe than in a normal person, and it can take longer to recover.

Although this condition is most often diagnosed in adulthood, symptoms can sometimes begin in childhood.

What are the symptoms of CVID?

The main and most common symptom of this condition is frequent infections. However, there are a number of other symptoms that can be seen in addition. Let's take a look at what they are.

Having one or two of these symptoms does not mean you have CVID. However, if you have these symptoms, especially frequent infections, for a long time, it is important to see a doctor immediately for advice.

Why does CVID actually develop? What causes this?

The main reason for this is changes in our genes. Everything in our body is controlled by the instructions in our DNA . We call these instructions genes. CVID is caused by certain changes (mutations) in these genes.

Specifically, the B-cells in our immune system are responsible for making those aforementioned antibodies. Due to the genetic changes that cause CVID, these B-cells are unable to develop properly and reach the point where they can make antibodies. As a result, the levels of the three main types of antibodies in the body, IgG, IgA, and IgM, drop significantly.

Imagine that there is a military camp where soldiers are trained. In CVID, what happens is that due to some defect in this camp, the soldiers cannot be trained properly and sent out. So there are not enough soldiers to protect the country.

Now you may be wondering, how did I get these genetic changes?

• In about 10% of cases: This condition can be inherited from parents to children.
• In 90% of cases: The exact cause of this condition is still unknown. This means that someone can develop the condition even if no one in their family has had it. Research is also being conducted to determine whether environmental factors, such as genetics, play a role in the condition.

Other complications that may occur due to CVID

In addition to getting sick more often, CVID also puts us at risk for other serious health problems. Because the immune system is something that affects our entire body. When it malfunctions, it can affect other systems as well.

Autoimmune Disorders

This is when our own immune system starts attacking our own healthy cells. It's like our own army attacking our own people. People with CVID are at higher risk of developing these types of diseases. Here are a few examples:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Destruction of red blood cells (Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia)
• Diseases that affect blood clotting (Antiphospholipid Syndrome)
• Some liver diseases (Autoimmune Hepatitis)

Chronic Lung Diseases

Frequent chest infections can damage the lungs over time, leading to chronic lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, and bronchiectasis.

Other risks

• Cancer: People with CVID have a slightly higher risk of developing cancers of the lymphatic system (lymphoma) and gastrointestinal system than the general population.
• Splenomegaly: Swelling of the spleen, which is part of the immune system.
• Granulomas: Small lumps formed by the aggregation of immune cells in organs such as the lungs and liver.
• Depression: There is a risk of developing depression due to the stress of living with a long-term illness.

How does a doctor diagnose CVID?

When you go to see a doctor because you are frequently sick, he or she will ask you about your symptoms and examine you. If CVID is suspected, the main way to confirm it is with a blood test .

This blood test measures the amount of antibodies in your blood. Especially if the levels of the aforementioned IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies are very low, it is a key symptom of CVID.

In addition, if necessary, genetic testing can be performed. Various tests can also be performed to check for other medical conditions.

What are the treatments for this? Can it be cured?

CVID is not a completely curable disease. But it is a very successfully controlled disease. The main treatment for this is Immunoglobulin Replacement Therapy .

Simply put, this is where you give your body antibodies (immunoglobulins) that it can't make on its own. The antibodies are extracted from the blood plasma of healthy people. This is like bringing in trained soldiers from abroad when the country's own soldiers are not enough.

There are two main ways to deliver this treatment.

Your doctor will decide which of these two treatments is best for you. This treatment is something that you need to take for the rest of your life . If you take this treatment correctly, you can largely control the frequency of infections.

Additionally, if a bacterial infection develops, you may be given antibiotics to treat it, and you may be told to continue taking antibiotics to prevent infection.

What do you need to know when living with CVID?

Although living with CVID can feel challenging, with proper management and awareness, you can live a normal life.

• Don't skip treatment: It is essential to take your antiretroviral therapy at the right time and in the right dosage.
• Watch for signs of infection: If you notice any early signs of infection, such as fever, cough, or body aches, tell your doctor right away. Starting treatment early can help prevent the illness from getting worse.
• Vaccinations: Do not get any vaccinations without first consulting your doctor. Live vaccines, especially those containing live viruses, can be dangerous for people with CVID.
• Screenings for other complications: To detect early signs of CVID-related diseases such as cancer and lung disease, your doctor will refer you for screenings at regular intervals . Do not miss them.
• Mental health: It's normal to feel stressed when living with a long-term illness. If you're feeling sad or anxious, talk to your doctor or someone close to you about it.

What time should I see a doctor?

If you experience things like this, be sure to see a doctor and seek advice.

• If you get frequent bacterial infections: For example, if you get pneumonia, sinusitis, or ear infections several times a year.
• If there are long-term symptoms: things like frequent stomach upset, bloating, and lung problems.
• If you get sick after receiving a live vaccine.

When you talk to your doctor about these things, he or she will be able to decide whether this is something that needs further investigation or not.