title: Management of the immunocompromised host.
abstract: This article deals with the management of the immunocompromised host. Mechanisms of immunocompromise include alterations in skin and mucosal barriers, normal oral and intestinal flora, splenic function, and number or function of T cells, B cells, granulocytes, and monocytes. Discussed in this article are ways for maintaining those defenses not altered by the primary disease, minimizing the environmental risks to the patient, anticipating potential infections in order to institute appropriate prophylactic measures, and diagnosing and aggressively treating infections as they occur.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000276:immunology*; D017053:Infection Control; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology; D009181:Mycoses / Q000517:prevention & control; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D011528:Protozoan Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D008094:Lithium