Imagine, if you will, that you’ve just been diagnosed with common variable immune deficiency, or CVID.
The doctor has answered your most basic questions, and now you’re on your way home. Suddenly, you realize you don’t know the first thing about this rare genetic disorder or what it means for your future. And if it’s so “rare,” why is it called common variable immune deficiency? The minute you walk through your front door, you jump onto the Internet and type in the words, and up pops up — here at PatientWorthy, we sincerely hope you will choose a reputable source for your crash course on CVID, such as the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF). Another great resource is GlobalGenes.
By the way, it’s the most “common” of immune diseases because more people are affected by CVID compared to all other immune deficiencies.
It’s not unusual for patients to be misdiagnosed, sometimes multiple times, before the correct diagnosis is attained. You knew you were always sick with infections, and that it wasn’t all in your head. Not to mention, you weren’t enjoying all those antibiotics that were prescribed, and you weren’t getting sick because you wanted attention. No, you were sick because your body doesn’t have sufficient immunoglobulins that are necessary to fight off infection.
If you would like to know more about CVID, or are looking for support, check out these resources:
- Primary Immunodeficiency Research Center
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
University of Kansas Medical Center Resource List
