| Q. |
What
exactly is Immunotherapy?
|
| A. |
Immunotherapy
is commonly known as " getting allergy shots". It is the
process
of administering by injection increasing amounts of substances a
patient
is allergic to , such as pollen and dust mite, with the aim to eventually
build tolerance to these substances and prevent them from causing
symptoms.
Immmunotherapy is especially useful against substances that are
difficult
to avoid such as pollen or dust mites.
|
|
|
| Q. |
Is
Immunotherapy a "cure"? |
| A. |
Immunotherapy
is not a cure but can significantly lessen allergy symptoms caused
by
specific substances. For example, a person with allergic rhinitis
may no longer
react to Bermuda grass or Olive trees but will always have a higher
tendency
than the general population of manifesting allergic symptoms to other
substances. |
|
|
| Q. |
Does
Immunotherapy mean I would no longer suffer from allergies? |
| A. |
Immunotherapy
improves allergy symptoms to substances contained in the immunotherapy
injections to different degrees. For example, some patients with
cat allergy may no longer have symptoms around cats while others will
need
much less medication to prevent symptoms. |
|
|
| Q. |
Are
there different types of Immunotherapy? |
| A. |
Yes.
Immunotherapy is given most commonly to improve symptoms from aeroallergens
( inhaled allergens ). Venom immunotherapy is given to patients who
have experienced systemic or life-threatening reactions to stinging
or biting
insects. |
|
|
| Q. |
What
is the success rate of Immunotherapy? |
| A. |
Studies
showing the effectiveness of immunotherapy show that roughly 8 out
of
10 allergy patients benefit from immunotherapy. |
|
|
| Q. |
Does
Immunotherapy work better for one kind of allergy more than another? |
| A. |
Immunotherapy
has been shown to be effective in allergies to pollen, cats, dogs,
molds, dust mites as well as stinging insects. Immunotherapy is not
effective
for food allergies. |
|
|
| Q. |
Are
there different types of Immunotherapy? When I go to a doctor are
they all
going to use the same formulas? |
| A. |
Although
there are community mixes that include common substances from a specific
region, the most effective formulas or mixtures are made especially
for
the patient to include all specific substances or allergens he or
she is allergic
to. |
|
|
| Q. |
How
long does Immunotherapy take? |
| A. |
Immunotherapy
is usually given for three to five years for long-term benefit
to allergy sufferers. |
|
|
| Q. |
Is there a chance that I could go through all this trouble and it
make no difference
to my allergies? |
| A. |
Improvement
in allergy symptoms is usually observed in most patients after 6 months
to 1 year of immunotherapy. It is not effective in all patients and
if no
improvement is seen within the first year, the allergist may decide
to stop
or change the therapy. |
|
|
| Q. |
If I went through Immunotherapy would I still need to use HEPA
filters and the like and take special environmental precautions in
my house? |
| A. |
Yes.
While the body is developing tolerance to allergens by increasing
doses
of immunotherapy, it is advisable to continue avoidance measures such
as
HEPA filters or dust mite covers to increase the chances of successful
immunotherapy. |
|
|
| Q. |
I
have an HMO as medical insurance. Do HMOs pay for this kind of treatment? |
| A. |
Most
HMOs today consider immunotherapy effective and pay for at least part
of the treatment. Please check with your HMO to find out specific
policies. |
|
|
| Q. |
How bad do your allergies need to be before your insurance will
pay for it? |
| A. |
Most
insurance companies will pay for immunotherapy if your primary care
doctor
refers you to an allergist and the allergist recommends immunotherapy
as
part of your treatment. Even patients with mild symptoms may be recommended
immunotherapy to avoid worsening of symptoms if they cannot avoid
the
things they are allergic to, such as pets or specific native trees.
|
|
|
| Q. |
If Immunotherapy has such a good success rate why doesn't everyone
do it instead of taking medication and spending a ton of money on
allergy control products? |
| A. |
The
time and commitment involved in starting and undergoing immunotherapy
is still seen as an obstacle by many patients looking for a "quick
fix". In time , more and more patients realize that the long
term benefits of immunotherapy are much better than being on medications
for the rest of their life. |
|
|
| Q. |
Any
future new developments in Immunotherapy that I should be aware of?I
heard of a cat vaccine that was due to be released and then it seems
to have disappeared - any update on that? |
| A. |
The
promising "catvax" vaccine is still being studied. It is
being touted as a fast-acting vaccine that would induce tolerance
in allergic patients after only about 6 injections as opposed to the
two to three year conventional cat immunotherapy. |
|
|
|
|
To
learn more about
Sheldon Spector MD click here to see his bio.
To learn more about Ricardo Antonio Tan, MD
click here to see his
bio.
|
