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Medical predisposition to infection

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Medical factors predisposing to infection include:

  • medical conditions: diabetes, rheumatic or congenital heart disease, asthma or other chronic lung disease, chronic renal or hepatic disease, Down's syndrome and premature or underweight infants
  • immunocompromised: steroids, immunosuppressants, AIDS, connective tissue disease, cancer or leukaemia, chemotherapy (very dangerous as signs diminished)
  • previous infection: rheumatic fever, TB or jaundice
  • surgical conditions: gallstones, diverticular disease, prostatism and prolapse
  • recent surgery or procedure, dentistry and minor injury
  • family history or other close contact of infection
  • medication including self-medication and blood products

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