Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medications, and diseases
interfere with the ability to heal or fight infection. The risk for a more
serious problem from your symptoms may be higher if any of the following are
present. Be sure to tell your health professional.
Conditions
- Premature birth
- A known sensitivity
to a substance such as soap or food
- An adult that is bed-bound,
chair-bound, or cannot fully move for any reason
- Mental retardation
or another developmental delay
- Nutritional
deficiencies
- Obesity
Lifestyle choices
- Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
- Drug abuse or withdrawal
Medications
- Antibiotics, such as penicillin, amoxicillin,
or cefaclor
- Corticosteroids, such as prednisone or Hexadrol
- Medications to prevent organ transplant rejection
- Medications used to treat cancer
(chemotherapy)
- Radiation therapy
Diseases
- Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia or
idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura
(ITP)
- Cancer
- Chronic skin conditions, such as eczema
(atopic dermatitis), psoriasis, or
seborrhea
- Diabetes
- Hirschsprung's
disease
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
infection
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
