Elaine Hill

"I had the strength to overcome."

More Information CSL Behring for Immunoglobulins Key Issues Dialogue: HAE & PID Issues

More Personal Stories Jean Stefanic, Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) Lori Collins, Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) Emily Ernst, Primary Immunodeficiency Ted Sandilands, Primary Immunodeficiency (PI) Diane Rankin, von Willebrand Disease (VWD) Mary DeArmond, von Willebrand disease (VWD) Andrew Hawkins, Hypogammaglobulinemia Perry Parker, Hemophilia A Gonzalo Pérez Sánchez, Hemophilia A Emily Bartko, Congenital Fibrinogen Deficiency Myra Hanson, von Willebrand Disease Sarah Smith, Hereditary Angioedema Lorena Payne, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AATD) Linda Alongi, von Willebrand Disease

In the early 1990’s, Elaine Hill was a successful, high-powered prosecuting attorney working in a domestic violence court in Miami for then-State Attorney Janet Reno. In court nearly every day, Elaine was often exposed to hepatitis, tuberculosis, HIV, and other serious diseases.

During this time, Elaine had frequent, severe illnesses, which her doctors attributed to her high-stress, high-profile job. By 1996, though, she had been sick for two years with recurrent bouts of pneumonia and with a serious case of diverticulitis that required hospitalization. She then contracted a rare bacterial infection called typhylitis.

Since typhylitis is so rare her doctors tested her to find the root cause. After ruling out cancer, HIV, and tuberculosis, blood tests revealed that Elaine had common variable immunodeficiency or primary immunodeficiency (PI)—a rare and often life-threatening condition.

Finally, Elaine understood why she had suffered frequent infections throughout her life, ranging from ear infections to pneumonia. Her doctor recommended that she try subcutaneously administered immunoglobulin. Elaine has found that her life has since improved immeasurably.