Recurrent or Unusual Infections

Causes & Risk Factors

Recurrent infections can have many possible explanations beyond immune deficiency, and evaluation aims to distinguish between them:

•  Frequent exposure — including young children in daycare/school settings, which naturally increases exposure to common infections.

•  Structural or anatomical factors — such as anatomical abnormalities affecting drainage of the sinuses, ears, or urinary tract.

•  Chronic underlying disease — including diabetes or chronic lung disease, which can increase infection susceptibility.

•  Medication effects — certain medications, including some immunosuppressive treatments, increase infection risk.

•  Underlying immune deficiency — a less common, but important, cause to consider when other explanations do not fit the pattern.

Symptoms & When to Test

The pattern of infections — rather than any single infection — is what typically prompts evaluation for an underlying cause.

•  Unusually frequent infections for age and situation

•  Severe infections beyond what would typically be expected

•  Persistent infections that do not fully resolve

•  Infections caused by unusual organisms

•  Infections that are difficult to treat despite appropriate therapy

•  Poor growth or other concerning findings alongside recurrent infections, particularly in children

When Should You Consider Testing?

Evaluation is generally appropriate when the pattern of infections is concerning — by frequency, severity, persistence, unusual organism, treatment difficulty, or associated poor growth — rather than for occasional, typical infections that most people experience.

Why Tests Are Combined

Because recurrent infections can result from several different underlying categories (exposure, structural, chronic disease, medication effects, or immune deficiency), a broad initial screen — CBC, quantitative immunoglobulins, IgG subclasses, complement (C3/C4, CH50) — helps identify which category is most likely before pursuing more specific or costly testing.

Specific immune-function testing and genetic testing are added selectively, based on the pattern revealed by initial screening and the specific clinical presentation, rather than ordered for every patient with recurrent infections.

This stepwise approach avoids unnecessary broad testing for patients whose recurrent infections are explained by common causes (such as young children's typical exposure patterns), while still identifying those who warrant more detailed immune evaluation.

Tests Available at NPL

Most allergy and immunology blood tests do not require fasting. However, some tests ordered at the same time may have specific preparation requirements. Please follow the instructions provided by your doctor or NPL.

Related Packages

Recurrent Infection Immune Workup Panel — CBC, Quantitative Immunoglobulins, IgG Subclasses, C3/C4, CH50 

Home Sample Collection

NPL offers convenient home sample collection for Recurrent or Unusual Infections blood tests, so you don't need to visit a lab in person.

→ Book your test online, via the NPL app, or by calling +977 1 5970147 and select a convenient time slot for home sample collection.

→ A certified and experienced NPL phlebotomist visits your home at the scheduled time, following strict hygiene and safety protocols.

→ Your sample is transported under controlled, monitored conditions to NPL's NABL ACCREDITED UNDER ISO15189:2012laboratory for processing.

→ Your digital report is delivered securely to your phone or email, along with access to download and share it as needed.

When to See a Doctor

•  Infections that are unusually frequent, severe, or persistent

•  Infections caused by unusual organisms

•  Infections difficult to treat despite appropriate therapy

•  Poor growth in a child with recurrent infections

•  Concern about an underlying cause for recurrent infections — your doctor can help evaluate the pattern