Medical News Today reports that, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), children who get frequent infections like ear infections, sinusitits, or pneumonia may have a condition known as immunodeficiency.

‘People with immunodeficiency get the same kinds of infections that other people get – ear infections, sinusitis and pneumonia,’ says Jordan Orange, MD, PhD, FAAAAI, Chair of the AAAAI's Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases Committee. ‘The difference is that their infections occur more frequently, and are often more severe, and have a greater risk of complications.’

The AAAAI recommends that patients should see an allergist / immunologist if they have chronic or recurrent infectious rhinosinusitis, or if they have any of the following warning signs:

• Eight or more new infections within one year.
• Two or more serious sinus infections within one year.
• Two or more months on antibiotic with little or no effect.
• Two or more pneumonias within one year.
• Failure of an infant to gain weight or grow normally.
• Recurrent deep skin or organ abscesses.
• Persistent thrush in mouth or elsewhere on skin after age one.
• Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections.
• Two or more deep seated infections.
• A family history of immune deficiency.