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Our expert panel can provide answers on a wide range of topics related to primary immune deficiency and IVIG. Submit your questions to our panel of healthcare professionals and parents, and be sure to sign up to receive updates so you'll be notified when new answers appear.

Medical Topics

My two children and I suffer from recurrent infections, but I can’t seem to get anyone to really listen. How do I go about getting tested for primary immune deficiency (PI)? What info should I tell them that would be pertinent?

This is a common story we hear from patients. An IDF survey reports the average time it takes for diagnosis of PI is… Read More Ask a question

Kimberly Duff, R.N., B.S.N.

Answers Medical Questions

Families and PI

My son is having academic difficulties, which I think are related to all the absences he’s had recently. Can you tell me where to find information on what sort of help the school is obligated to provide?

Let me start by saying congratulations for being an advocate on your son’s behalf. Missing school can be very difficult… Read More Ask a question

Dayna Fladhammer

Answers Family and PI Questions

Therapeutic Play

We don’t want to tell our son he has PI because we’re afraid it will scare him. Is it necessary to tell him what he has and why he’s getting this medicine?

From my experience, withholding important information from children can be extremely stressful. Children can handle more… Read More Ask a question

Adina Bodolay, Certified Child Life Specialist

Answers Therapeutic Play Questions

Insurance

What happens when my 20 year old daughter is no longer on my insurance and can’t work full time to get her own insurance because she gets sick too often? We make too much money for assistance, but still can’t afford out of pocket or high insurance plans. Can she get Supplemental Security Income (SSI)? How do we start that process?

Depending on which state you reside in, there have been some legislative changes that impact the age category your… Read More Ask a question

Kimberly Jones, R.N.

Answers Insurance Questions

Plasma Safety

How are donors screened to ensure the safety of plasma?

All plasma donors must undergo a pre-donation selection process, including verification of good health, medical history, and risk behavior questions… Read More Ask a question

Thomas R. Kreil, Ph.D.

Answers Plasma Safety Questions

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Important Risk Information for GAMMAGARD LIQUID

GAMMAGARD LIQUID is contraindicated in patients with known anaphylactic or severe hypersensitivity responses to Immune Globulin (Human). Patients with severe selective IgA deficiency (IgA < 0.05 g/L) may develop anti-IgA antibodies that can result in a severe anaphylactic reaction.

Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human) products have been reported to be associated with renal dysfunction, acute renal failure, osmotic nephrosis, and death. IGIV products should be administered at the minimum concentration available and the minimum rate of infusion practicable in at risk patients.

GAMMAGARD LIQUID is made from human plasma. It may carry a risk of transmitting infectious agents, e.g. viruses, and theoretically, the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent.  Some viruses, such as B19V or hepatitis A, are particularly difficult to remove or inactivate.

GAMMAGARD LIQUID should only be administered intravenously.

Immediate anaphylactic and hypersensitivity reactions are a remote possibility.

IGIV products can contain blood group antibodies which may act as hemolysins and induce in vivo coating of red blood cells with immunoglobulin causing a positive direct antiglobulin reaction and, rarely, hemolysis.  Hemolytic anemia can develop subsequent to IGIV therapy due to enhanced red blood cell sequestration.

There have been reports of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury [TRALI]) in patients administered IGIV.

Thrombotic events have been reported in association with IGIV.  The potential risks and benefits of IGIV should be weighed against those of alternative therapies.

Aseptic meningitis syndrome (AMS) has been reported to occur infrequently in association with GAMMAGARD LIQUID treatment. Discontinuation of IGIV treatment has resulted in remission of AMS within several days without sequelae.

Please see the detailed Important Risk Information and Full Prescribing Information for GAMMAGARD LIQUID [Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)] for full prescribing details.

The PI Panel cannot respond to questions about individual medical cases, provide second opinions or make specific recommendations regarding therapy. The information our experts provide is from their own experiences. Always seek the advice of your own physician or other qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical condition. We will do our best to address as many questions as possible. We will not publish the names of any patients, physicians, or therapies.