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- General: There is no specific treatment for natural killer (NK) cell deficiency. Instead, treatment focuses on curing infections associated with the disorder. Treatment of infections generally lasts longer for patients with NK cell deficiency than for patients who do not have the disorder. This is because NK patients have weakened immune systems that are slower to respond to treatments.
- Patients should tell their healthcare providers if they are taking any drugs (prescription or over–the–counter), herbs, or supplements because they may interact with treatment. Also, patients should take medications exactly as prescribed by their doctors. If treatment is stopped too quickly, the infection may recur.
- Antimicrobials: Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, antifungals are used to treat fungal infection, and antivirals are used to treat viral infections. The type of medication, dose, and length of treatment depends on the type and severity of the infection, as well as the patient's overall health.
- Interferons: Interferons, which are agents that stimulate the production of NK cells, have been used to treat NK cell deficiency. They are typically used when the patient develops severe infections. Interferons are either man–made or derived from human blood donations. They contain cytokines, which are chemical messengers in the body that stimulate the production of NK cells. This treatment is injected into the patient to help increase the number of NK cells during an infection.
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