D82.3: Immunodeficiency following hereditary defective response to Epstein-Barr virus

The immune system protects the body from pathogens and foreign substances. The immune system can also destroy cells in the body that have pathologically changed.

The pathogens include viruses. Certain viruses cause glandular fever. Glandular fever may be associated with various symptoms such as a high temperature and inflammation of the throat. The symptoms usually disappear completely.

Due to a congenital immune deficiency, your immune system is unable to provide enough protection against the viruses. If your immune system is unable to provide enough protection against the viruses, you might suffer badly from glandular fever after being infected with the virus.

Some of the viruses remain in your body throughout your life. In healthy people, though, these viruses only cause symptoms if the person is stressed or has a weakened immune system, for example. If the immune system is unable to provide enough protection against the viruses, though, this can cause various other illnesses. Depending on the type of illness, the person may be more vulnerable to pathogens. These may then, for example, repeatedly cause respiratory infections. The viruses can also favor certain cancers.

The disease is hereditary. Other family members can also be affected.