A physician sees a new patient who is 25 years old. The patient reports that she has been experiencing recurrent ear, nose, and throat problems resulting from various infections since she was about 5 years old. The infections last for long periods of time and are difficult to treat. The physician suspects that the patient may have

Question

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Recurrent and long-lasting infections of the ear, nose, and throat can be a sign of an underlying immunodeficiency disorder, meaning the patient's immune system isn't functioning properly and is unable to fight off infections effectively. Option A (an autoimmune disorder) is less likely as the symptoms described suggest a defect in the immune system rather than an overactive immune response. Option B (an allergic reaction) is also less likely as the symptoms seem to be related to infectious agents rather than an allergen. Option D (abnormal levels of allergens) is not discussed in the scenario and is therefore an unlikely option.

A Physician Sees a New Patient Who Is 25 Years