Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves a medical history of repeat infections and a physical exam. Blood tests and maybe genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
There's no cure for XLA. Treatment aims at boosting the immune system to prevent infections. There also is quick treatment for infections as they happen.
Medications
Medicines to treat XLA include:
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Gammaglobulin. This is a type of protein found in blood that contains antibodies against infections. It's put into a vein, called infusion, every 2 to 4 weeks or given with weekly shots.
Reactions to gammaglobulin can include headache, chills, backache and nausea. Reactions are more likely to happen during a viral infection, such as a cold.
- Antibiotics. Some people with XLA take antibiotics all the time to prevent infections. Others take antibiotics for bacterial infections longer than do people without XLA.
Your healthcare professional likely will suggest that you have follow-up visits every 6 to 12 months to screen for complications of XLA. You'll also likely be told to not get live vaccines, such as live polio, measles-mumps-rubella or chickenpox vaccines.