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Usually, the immune response is a desired effect. Even deliberate immunosuppression (in the treatment of autoimmune disorders or organ transplant, for example) attempts to maintain a balance between suppression of parts of the immune system and the ability to fight disease and infection.
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The goal of treatment for immunodeficiency disorders includes protection against (and treatment of) diseases and infections.
Immunocompromised patients should avoid contact with persons who have infections or contagious disorders. This may include avoiding people who have been immunized with live virus vaccines within the past two weeks.
Any illness or infection is treated aggressively in patients with immunosuppression. This may involve prolonged use of antimicrobials (antibiotics, antifungal medications), use of powerful antimicrobials to treat any infection, and preventive (prophylactic) treatments.
Interferon (used to treat viral infections and some types of cancer) and Zidovudine (AZT, used to treat AIDS) are 2 immunostimulant drugs (medications that increase the efficiency of the immune system).
Persons with HIV and AIDS may take combinations of drugs to reduce the amount of virus in their immune systems, thus improving their immunity.
Patients undergoing a planned splenectomy should be vaccinated 2 weeks prior to the surgery against encapsulated organisms, such as streptococcal pneumonia.
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