Primary Immunodeficiency
What is Primary Immunodeficiency?
Your immune system keeps you healthy by fighting off germs. But people living with primary immunodeficiency disease (PID, sometimes known as PI or PIDD) have an immune system that is not working properly, beginning at birth. For people living with PID, infections may not go away or can come back often, even with the use of antibiotics. Infections may be common, severe, long-lasting, or hard to cure, but once correctly diagnosed and treated, people with PID can live full and active lives.
What are the signs of Primary Immunodeficiency?
The National Institutes of Health estimates that there are approximately 500,000 Americans with undiagnosed PID. PID often goes untreated because there are no unique or specific symptoms, but there are common signs.
Learn About the 10 Warning Signs
How is Primary Immunodeficiency diagnosed?
If you believe you might have PID, the first step is to get an expert evaluation. An immune system specialist, called an immunologist, can help with diagnosis and treatment. When an immunologist evaluates your immune system, the evaluation may include: a detailed medical history, a physical exam, blood tests and vaccines to test your immune response.
Learn More About Diagnosis
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Three Shots and a Booster for PI Patients
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PI Patients and COVID-19 Risk
In an update, immunologist says most PID patients appear no more at risk than the general population.
Hizentra PI Facebook Page Provides PI patients and their families with information on Hizentra, patient stories and support programs. Visit Facebook
Hizentra CIDP Facebook Page Provides CIDP patients and their families with information on Hizentra, patient stories and support programs. Visit Facebook
Caring for a Child with PID As the parent or caregiver of a child living with PID, you are an important member of his or her healthcare team. You have to be aware of your child's symptoms and responses to treatment in order to effectively communicate with the healthcare team.
Tips for Adults and Children Living with PID These tips from the Immune Deficiency Foundation can help make it easier to manage your or your loved one's condition. View Website
Jeffrey Modell Foundation Answers, expert referrals, patient connections and patient organizations for people living with primary and secondary immunodeficiencies. View Website
International Patient Organization for Primary Immunodeficiencies Improving awareness, diagnosis and treatment of primary immunodeficiencies worldwide.
Immune Deficiency Foundation U.S. national patient organization dedicated to improving the diagnosis, treatment and quality of life of people with primary immunodeficiency diseases.
Product Websites Hizentra.com (United States)
Hizentra.de (Germany)
Privigen.com (United States)
Privigen.de (Germany)
Availability of treatments may vary from country to country. Please be sure to visit your local CSLBehring.com site for further information.
Privigen® | Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) 10% Liquid
US Prescribing Information
US Important Safety Information (Selected)
Thrombosis (blood clotting) can occur with immune globulin products, including Privigen. Risk factors may include advanced age, prolonged immobilization, a history of blood clotting or hyperviscosity (thick blood), use of estrogens, installed vascular catheters, and cardiovascular risk factors.
In predisposed patients, kidney malfunction and acute kidney failure, potentially fatal, can occur with the administration of human immune globulin intravenous (IGIV) products. Kidney problems occur more commonly in patients receiving IGIV products that contain sucrose. Privigen does not contain sucrose.
If you are at high risk of thrombosis or kidney problems, your doctor will prescribe and administer Privigen at the minimum dose and infusion rate practicable, and will monitor you for signs and symptoms of thrombosis and viscosity, as well as kidney function. Always drink sufficient fluids before administration.
See your doctor for a full explanation, and the full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
In clinical trials of Privigen, headache was the most common side effect. Other common side effects that can be seen with treatment include fatigue, nausea, fever, and high blood pressure. These are not the only side effects possible; see the full prescribing information for a complete list of adverse reactions possible with treatment for each condition. Alert your physician to any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
Full US Important Safety Information
Hizentra® | Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human) 20% Liquid
Thrombosis (blood clots) can occur with immune globulin products, including Hizentra. Risk factors include: advanced age, prolonged immobilization, a history of blood clotting or blood thickness, use of estrogens, installed vascular catheters, and cardiovascular risk factors. If you are at high risk of blood clots, your doctor will prescribe the minimum dose and infusion rate practicable and will monitor for signs of clotting events and hyperviscosity. Always drink sufficient fluids before infusing Hizentra.
The most common side effects in the clinical trials for Hizentra include redness, swelling, itching, and/or bruising at the infusion site; headache; chest, joint or back pain; diarrhea; tiredness; cough; rash; itching; fever, nausea, and vomiting. These are not the only side effects possible. Tell your doctor about any side effect that bothers you or does not go away.
Participate in Clinical Trials
Discover what is involved in participating in one of our clinical trials and how you can enroll.