ABSTRACT
Physicians who care for patients with recurrent sinusitis are often surprised by the frequency with which there is a complaint of repeated infections. Most often the complaint is without foundation as the symptoms are from an allergic rather than an infectious cause. Most patients with recurrent infections do not have an identifiable immunodeficiency disorder. A major reason for the apparent high rate of recurrent infections is excessive exposure of infants or children to infectious agents in out-of-home childcare and other group settings. Within this group of patients, however, several with primary immunodeficiency (PID) will be found. The approaches to proper diagnosis and treatment have changed over the years as more information is gained about them. It is therefore important that the physician remains current on the rapidly expanding knowledge about these genetically determined diseases. In addition, pediatricians must have a high index of suspicion if defects of the immune system are to be diagnosed early enough for appropriate treatment to be instituted before there is irreversible damage.
