People With Primary Immunodeficiency or PI Can Lead Full, Active Lives

Thanks to new therapies and new medical understanding, people with PI often lead full and active lives. They go to school or work, socialize, play sports, and enjoy life.

The following tips have helped many individuals and families live well with a diagnosis of PI:

Work closely with your doctor to manage your condition. Ask about treatments that fit in with your active lifestyle
Eat a healthy diet: a well-balanced, nutritious diet can help your body prevent and fight infections. Your doctor may suggest a special diet in times of illness or if you have food intolerances
Adopt good hygiene habits. Bathe or shower regularly; wash your hands before meals, after outings, and after using the bathroom. You may want to carry disposable hand wipes or antibacterial gel for times when soap and water are not available
Take proper care of cuts or scrapes; clean them thoroughly
Visit your dentist regularly; brush your teeth and floss daily
Avoid exposure to people who are ill. For instance, steer away from crowded movie theaters or malls during flu outbreaks
Join a local PI support group for patients and their families. You’ll be able to share experiences and lifestyle tips with others who understand what you’re going through. Ask your doctor about groups in your area, or visit the Web sites for the Immune Deficiency Foundation at www.primaryimmune.org or the Jeffery Modell Foundation at jmfworld.com

Next: Treating PI

Important Safety Information

Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human), Vivaglobin^®, is a prescription treatment for patients with primary immunodeficiency (PI).

Immune globulin products, such as Vivaglobin^®, should not be taken if you have a history of anaphylactic or severe systemic response to immune globulin (Ig) preparations. If you suspect you are having a severe reaction to Vivaglobin^®, discontinue treatment immediately and inform your doctor.

Vivaglobin^® is derived from human plasma. As with all plasma-derived products, the risk of transmission of infectious agents, including viruses and the Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) agent, cannot be completely eliminated.

In clinical trials, the most frequent adverse event was mild or moderate swelling, redness, and itching at the injection site. Other adverse events included headache, gastrointestinal disorder, fever, nausea, sore throat, and rash. No serious reactions were observed, and reactions tended to decrease substantially with repeated use.

If you are receiving Ig therapy for the first time, are new to Vivaglobin^®, or have not received Ig therapy within the past eight weeks, your healthcare provider should monitor your initial treatment with Vivaglobin^®, as you could experience reactions including fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. Rarely, these reactions may lead to shock.

Ig administration may impair the effectiveness of virus vaccines, such as measles, mumps and rubella. Consult your doctor if you plan to receive any vaccine.

In clinical studies, Vivaglobin^® has been shown to be safe and well tolerated in pediatric patients, without pediatric-specific dose requirements. Safety and effectiveness were not studied in subjects under 2 years of age.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Patient Product Information.