having a weakened immune system. Common causes are certain illnesses (HIV, some cancers) or use of certain drugs such as prednisone.
A condition in which the immune system is not functioning normally (e.g., severe cellular immunosuppression resulting from HIV infection or immunosuppressive therapy). Immunosuppressed persons are at greatly increased risk for developing active TB after they have been infected with M.tuberculosis. No data are available regarding whether these persons are also at increased risk for infection with M.tuberculosis after they have been exposed to the organism.
A condition brought about by disease or chemotherapy where the individual is highly susceptible to infection.
When the immune system is unable to protect the body from disease. This condition can be caused by disease (like HIV infection or cancer) or by certain drugs (like those used in chemotherapy). Also known as immunocompromised.