title: The immune system and immunologic complications. Our immune system is designed to protect us from harmful pathogens: here's what you need to know about how it works.
abstract: Marie considers the exam and history findings and constructs her reply to the patient's statement that he does not want to go to the hospital. "Sir", she says, "I appreciate that you think this is just a stomach bug, but here's what I'm concerned about: Your lupus and the Imuran and prednisone you take to treat it weaken your immune system. And, with your history of diverticular disease, I'm worried that you may have developed diverticulitis, which your weakened immune system might struggle to fight effectively. Worst case scenario, you could be developing an infection that you cannot effectively fight. This infection could get worse, spread to other places in your abdomen or even your blood, and make you very sick. For that reason, I recommend that you go to the hospital for an evaluation." Presented with this information, the patient agrees to transport with the EMS crew to the local ED. He is placed on the cardiac monitor and IV access is initiated. He is monitored during an uncomplicated trip to the receiving ED. Later, the attending physician informs Marie and Don that the patient had diverticulitis with a perforated diverticula, was likely developing peritonitis, and had been admitted to the hospital for treatment and observation.
authors.affiliation: San Francisco Paramedic Association, San Francisco, CA, USA. scottrsnyder@me.com
authors.forename: Scott R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Snyder
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Kivlehan
authors.forename: Kevin T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Collopy
mesh_terms: D004634:Emergency Medical Technicians / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000503:physiopathology*