Symptoms of Common Variable Immunodeficiency

Common Variable Immunodeficiency is a group of rare genetic immunodeficiency disorders. There are abnormalities in the immune cell development that result in a decreased ability to produce antibodies in response to the invasion of foreign substances. It is characterized by low levels of most or all immunoglobulin classes, lack of B lymphocytes or plasma cells that are capable of producing antibodies and frequent bacterial infections.

Common Variable Immunodeficiency is also known as Acquired Hypogammaglobulinemia, Common Variable Hypogammaglobulinemia, Late-Onset Immunoglobulin Deficiency, Acquired Agammaglobulinemia, Adult-Onset Agammaglobulinemia and Late-Onset Hypogammaglobulinemia. Common Variable Immunodeficiency shouldn't be confused with Acquired Immunodeficiency, the syndrome that is caused by the HIV virus. They differ greatly from each other.

It is more common for the onset of symptoms to occur between the second and fourth decade of life, but onset of symptoms can occur during the first decade of life. Symptoms include recurrent ear, sinus and lung infections, inflammation of the joints of the knees, ankles, elbows and wrists, stomach and bowel disorders, increased risk of developing certain cancers, regular morning cough that produces yellow or green sputum, enlarged spleen and swollen glands or lymph nodes. Gastrointestinal symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss. Symptoms vary from one patient to another and this is why it is referred to as a variable group of disorders.