CE 2.0 ANCC/AACN CONTACT HOURS Nursing Made Incredibly Easy! 5(4):p 61-63, July 2007. | DOI: 10.1097/01.NME.0000278474.01014.4f Full Text Access for Subscribers:
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Why do immunocompromised patients get more infections than other patients?The body’s immune system uses a number of defenses to prevent or get rid of infection. Infection can be caused by a variety of organisms such as bacteria, viruses or fungi. The immune system can be weakened (immunocompromised) by a number of diseases and their treatments. These are some examples of what can weaken the body’s immune defenses:
Why are infections dangerous in immunocompromised patients?
How can infections in immunocompromised patients be prevented?These are the general principles of preventing infection in patients with weak immune systems:
What are the survival rates for patients with weak immune systems who get an infection?Because so many different diseases, conditions and infections can occur in patients with weak immune systems, no broadly useful survival rates are available. In general, the survival outlook for patients with weak immune systems who develop infections depends on the reason why the immune system is compromised and the type of infection present. Preventing and aggressively treating infections are critical steps to ensure successful cancer treatment. When was the St. Jude Infectious Diseases Program started and what does it offer?
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