Risk factorsBy Mayo Clinic staff While anyone can catch
infectious diseases, you may be more likely to get sick if your
immune system isn't working properly. This may occur if: -
You're taking steroids or other medications that suppress your
immune system, such as anti-rejection drugs for a transplanted
organ - You have HIV or AIDS - You have certain types of cancer
or other disorders that affect your immune system In addition,
certain other medical conditions may predispose you to
infection, including implanted medical devices, malnutrition and
extremes of age, among others. - Understanding microbes in
sickness and in health. National Institute of Allergy and
Infectious Diseases. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/microbes/do
cuments/microbesbook.pdf. Accessed Oct. 8, 2012. - Long SS, et
al. Long: Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious
Diseases. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. ht
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