Question
An 8-month-old baby, with no symptoms, rarely catches a cold, in good spirits, enjoys eating salty congee, usually falls asleep after 10 PM, and has normal bowel movements and weight of 18 jin. The baby was found to have a very high white blood cell count about a month after birth, and despite multiple treatments with antibiotics like penicillin and other symptomatic anti-inflammatory medications, the white blood cell count remained elevated. The latest test results show that the baby’s immune system levels are abnormally high. What diseases could an elevated immune system level indicate?
Answer
Immune system disorders encompass a wide range of diseases, categorized into immunodeficiency or defects, and autoimmune diseases caused by abnormal immune responses. Immunodeficiency diseases include AIDS, while abnormal immune responses include allergic diseases and ankylosing spondylitis. Systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatic heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis are examples of autoimmune diseases. Ankylosing spondylitis is an autoimmune disease and whether it falls under immune system disorders requires further specific consultation. Besides AIDS, other immune system-related diseases include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatic heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Ankylosing spondylitis is indeed an immune system disease because it is an autoimmune disease.