Thanks to subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy I feel well and am not ill more often than other people. I have a job I enjoy and in my free time, I’m as active as any other young person.

Mario's Story

Mario, 21 years old

Mario was born with agammaglobulinaemia, the most common primary immune deficiency (PID) –. His blood contains no B-lymphocytes, and hence his body has none of the antibodies (immunoglobulins) it needs to fight diseases.

 

Mario was 14 months old when his immune deficiency was accidentally diagnosed. For years he had intravenous infusions of the immunoglobulin he lacked, first at hospital and later during home treatment. Today, Mario uses gammanorm® — a subcutaneous treatment he can perform himself at home. Twice a week, Mario injects the immunoglobulin straight under his skin using a small infusion pump. He schedules the treatment time himself and during the 60-minute infusion can move around freely. Every three months he attends regular checkups with his doctor. Octapharma’s subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy offers Mario a much-appreciated independence. He likes his job as a printer and enjoys helping out in the family business. When he is not working, he devotes time to his interests and enjoys active sports: quad biking, snowboarding, meeting friends and surfing the web. A normal life.