5. Recurrent Infections: When Your Immune System Flags
Your immune system is your body’s defense mechanism against bacteria, viruses, and other external threats. If you find yourself catching one infection after another, it’s like a castle wall being breached repeatedly. Your body isn’t doing its job, and SMZL could be the saboteur within the gates.
Frequent infections are a sign that your immune system is compromised. With SMZL, the spleen—one of the critical organs involved in your body’s defense mechanism—is directly impacted. As a result, you could experience recurrent respiratory infections, UTIs, or even skin infections.
Continual infections can be debilitating, impacting your work, social life, and overall sense of well-being. It’s not just about taking antibiotics repeatedly; it’s about understanding that something is seriously wrong internally.
A weakened immune system needs immediate attention. Laboratory tests, including complete blood counts and immunoglobulin levels, can reveal whether the recurrent infections are due to SMZL. This diagnosis usually involves imaging tests, blood tests, and possibly a biopsy to examine tissue from the spleen or bone marrow. (5)
