MARCH

Look Forward to Spring with Immunotherapy

By Andy Nish, MD, FAAAAI

Spring’s arrival is anticipated after the long, cold, dreary winter. But with warm weather, sunny days and budding trees also comes thick clouds of pollen blanketing our cars, tickling our noses and irritating our lungs.

For the estimated 40 percent of Americans with allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, the changing seasons are dreaded. The great news is it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little preparation, you can still breathe in all that spring offers.

Immunotherapy, commonly called ‘allergy shots,’ is effective in reducing or eliminating seasonal allergy symptoms in up to 90 percent of patients. Make an appointment with your allergist now and find relief this spring and summer.

Allergies commonly cause sneezing, a runny nose, nasal congestion and itchy watery eyes. These symptoms can lead to loss of sleep and impair performance at work or school. I am often amazed at how much people are willing to tolerate before seeking treatment.

While there is no cure for allergies, immunotherapy is the next best thing. Allergy shots have been shown to improve allergies, asthma and sinus problems, and may prevent the development of future sensitivities.

The first step for treating allergies is determining the cause of your symptoms. An allergist will use skin testing, a painless and accurate procedure, to identify allergy triggers. Results are generally available within 15 or 20 minutes.

Allergy shots expose a patient to tiny amounts of allergens over a long period of time, decreasing the body’s overreaction to allergy triggers. The serum provided in the shots is custom mixed for each patient to treat specific allergy triggers.

Patients receiving allergy shots visit their allergist twice a week for short appointments — about 30 minutes. The shots are administered in increasing doses until a ‘maintenance dose’ is reached.

At this level, after a few months, patients should notice an improvement in symptoms and may be able to reduce their medications. The maintenance dose is continued for about three to five years. At the completion of immunotherapy, many patients no longer experience allergic reactions. An allergist is a specialist at diagnosing and treating allergies and has specialized training, experience and knowledge in providing allergy shots. If spring makes you miserable, stop suffering.

Andy Nish, MD, FAAAAI, is an allergist/immunologist based in Gainesville, GA

This article has been reviewed by Thanai Pongdee, MD, FAAAAI

It's always important for people with asthma to get their yearly flu shot. But this year, it is even more critical, and it involves more than one shot. Public health officials are concerned that the H1N1 flu virus (sometimes called "swine flu"), which first emerged last spring, could infect even more people in the United States during this year's winter flu season.

Flu viruses infect a person's upper respiratory tract. As a result, people with respiratory problems-including asthma-are more likely to experience serious health problems if they get the flu. For example, if you have asthma and get the flu, you may be more likely to have an asthma attack. Children and young adults, pregnant women and people with other underlying health conditions also need to be vigilant when it comes to the new flu strain.

The CDC is working to ensure that adequate supplies of an H1N1 flu vaccine are available before the flu season hits in the United States. Once the vaccine is available, people with asthma should get vaccinated. This new vaccine will not protect against the seasonal flu, so you may need to receive two vaccinations to stay healthy. The CDC recommends that all children receive the seasonal flu vaccine.

Know the symptoms

The symptoms of H1N1 flu are similar to those of the seasonal flu. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor:

• Fever
• Tiredness
• Lack of appetite
• Coughing

Some people infected with the H1N1 flu virus may also have a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Catching symptoms of the flu early is important, because antiviral drugs are most effective when taken within 48 hours of infection.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that only one-third of adults with asthma receive the flu vaccine every year.
• Men and African Americans are less likely to receive a flu vaccine than women and whites, according to the CDC.
• Adults older than 65 may have natural antibodies to H1N1 because of exposure to older flu strains. However, older adults, particularly those with asthma, should still get vaccinated against the seasonal flu and take steps to avoid infection.
• The greatest number of H1N1 flu cases have occurred in children and adults under the age of 24.

To the Point

People with asthma may face serious health risks if they are infected with the H1N1 flu virus. Getting vaccinated and taking basic preventive steps (such as washing your hands and covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze) are the best ways to avoid getting the flu.

An allergist/immunologist is the best-qualified medical expert to diagnose and treat asthma. To find an allergist/immunologist near you, visit the Physician Referral Directory at www.aaaai.org.

For more information on asthma, please visit the Patients & Consumers Center of the AAAAI Web site, www.aaaai.org.

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