Immunosuppressed

Immunosuppressed describes a state in which the immune system has a reduced ability to fight infections and other diseases. The condition can be temporary or permanent and may result from disease, medical treatment, or certain genetic conditions. Immunosuppression is often categorized as primary (congenital immune defects present from birth) or secondary (acquired later in life).

Common causes include medical therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, organ transplantation requiring immunosuppressive drugs (for example corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, or alkylating agents); treatment of autoimmune diseases; HIV/AIDS; malnutrition; chronic kidney disease; and asplenia. Some cancers itself can impair immune function.

The consequences of immunosuppression include increased susceptibility to infections, with infections that may be more frequent, more severe, or present atypically. Individuals may experience delayed wound healing and reduced responses to vaccines. Opportunistic infections, caused by organisms that rarely cause illness in people with normal immunity, are of particular concern and may involve organisms such as Pneumocystis jirovecii, cytomegalovirus, Candida, or Aspergillus species, among others.

Management focuses on prevention and timely treatment. Prevention strategies include infection control measures, vaccination when appropriate, and sometimes antimicrobial prophylaxis. Infections require prompt diagnosis and treatment, and clinicians may adjust immunosuppressive therapy when feasible to balance control of the underlying condition with infection risk.

Living with immunosuppression often involves regular medical monitoring, tailored preventive care, and awareness of infection symptoms. The level of risk varies with the underlying cause, treatment, and overall health.