Many common treatments for cancer, arthritis, rheumatologic disorders as well as infections such as HIV, or undergoing organ or bone marrow transplantation can suppress the immune system. Sometimes this is intentional (as with transplantation treatments) or it can be a side effect of another treatment or a result of an infection. The lung very commonly becomes involved when the immune system is suppressed.
Some treatments that can lead to immunosuppression:
If you are having lung problems and have a suppressed immune system please ask your doctor if a referral is needed. Dr. Karen Wood and Dr. Matthew Exline participate in our immunosuppression clinic and have an interest in infections and bronchiectasis that develop in patients whose immune system isn’t working correctly.