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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

While infectious diseases can happen to anyone, you may also be more likely to get sick if your immune system isn't working properly. This may occur if:

  • You have an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
  • You're receiving treatment for cancer
  • You're taking steroids, which affect your immune system
  • You take anti-rejection drugs for a transplanted organ
  • You have HIV or AIDS
Complications Causes

  • See Also

    • Hand Scheduled
    Section Focus
  • HIV/AIDS
  • Lupus
  • Sepsis

    • Related Links
    Related Guides
    Children
    Parent
References
  1. Understanding microbes in sickness and in health. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/microbes/PDF/microbesbook.pdf. Accessed May 6, 2009.
  2. Facts about infectious diseases. Infectious Diseases Society of America. http://www.idsociety.org/factsaboutid.html. Accessed May 6, 2009.
  3. Opal SM, et al. Host responses to infection. In: Cohen J, et al. Cohen and Powderly: Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/135757989-3/0/1209/7.html?tocnode=49351280&fromURL=7.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02407-6..50004-0_85. Accessed May 6, 2009.
  4. Iacoviello VR, et al. Principles of anti-infective therapy. In: Cohen J, et al. Cohen and Powderly: Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/135757989-5/0/1209/535.html?tocnode=49356432&fromURL=535.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02407-6..X5001-6--section7_5237. Accessed May 6, 2009.
  5. Steckelberg J (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. May 18, 2009.
  6. Routes of transmission. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas and Bennett's: Principles and practice of infectious diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/136228628-6/838936308/1259/99.html#4-u1.0-B0-443-06643-4..50015-5--cesec23_433. Accessed May 8, 2009.
  7. Crowcroft N, et al. Prevention. In: Cohen J, et al. Cohen and Powderly: Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/135757989-5/0/1209/9.html?tocnode=49351308&fromURL=9.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02407-6..50005-2_113. Accessed May 6, 2009.
  8. Johnson KS, et al. Lumbar puncture: Technique, indications, contraindications and complications in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 8, 2009.
  9. Chest X-ray (chest radiography). Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=chestrad. Accessed May 13, 2009.
  10. CT: Body. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodyct. Accessed May 13, 2009.
  11. MRI of the head. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=headmri. Accessed May 13, 2009.
  12. An ounce of prevention keeps the germs away. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention/docs/oop_brochure_eng.pdf, Accessed May 13, 2009.

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July 21, 2009

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