Jakob is an active-duty U.S. Navy sailor and was recently diagnosed with Common Variable Immunodeficiency (CVID). After recurring infections turned into serious complications, Jakob finally found answers and newfound strength. We are proud to support him on his journey!
Please share a few sentences about your overall story living with Primary Immunodeficiency (PI).
I am newly diagnosed. I'm an active-duty US Navy sailor. I have been deployed overseas and had been relatively healthy until I wasn't.
How and when were you diagnosed? Which specific PI disease do you have?
I was diagnosed with CVID in December of 2024. It started with recurring ear infections between trips to Japan and it turned into pneumonia twice in 4 months. I went into respiratory failure, heart failure, and sepsis a few months after. I was hospitalized for ten days in the ICU.
How has treatment impacted your life? How did you decide this was the correct treatment for you?
I'm still learning. I feel as if I have the opportunity to share my story with anyone who is willing to listen. Between SCIG doses, I'm strength training and running most days. I have Bronchiectasis and lung damage. I never put a limit on what I can or cannot do. I always push myself as hard as I possibly can in every aspect of my life, while simultaneously spreading any awareness for PI that I can.
Do you share your story with others online? If so, what made you decide to do so?
I share infusions, appointments, and other PI resources onto my Instagram stories often.
If there's anything else you'd like to share with us, please do so below.
I would like to personally thank JMF and the IDF for being a voice for us. It's a hard and challenging road that none of us asked for, but with these foundations in our corner, life is a little easier!