Question 1

what is immunotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Decrease sensitivity: Allergen immunotherapy is a form of treatment aimed at decreasing your sensitivity to substances called allergens. These allergens are identified by allergy testing, and are the substances that trigger your allergy symptoms when you are exposed to them. Allergen immunotherapy involves injecting increasing amounts of an allergen to a patient over several months.

Question 2

what can immunotherapy treat?

Accepted Answer

Immunotherapy: Can be use for autoimmune conditions and hypogammaglonulinemia.

Question 3

what happens in immunotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Tolerance: Immunotherapy is a treatment that involves exposure of the immune system to gradually increasing doses of an allergen to which the person is allergic.  During this gradual increase in dose the immune system becomes tolerant or resistant to the exposure reducing the symptoms that a person has on exposure to those allergens in nature.

Question 4

what is targeted immunotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Boosting immunity: to fight cancer, that's it in a nutshell, check the following link for more info,

http://www.cancer.net/new-targeted-immunotherapy-promising-treatment-several-advanced-cancers

Question 5

how does radio immunotherapy feel?

Accepted Answer

Varied side effects: Radioimmunotherapy such as zevalin or Bexxar (tositumomab) can have multiple side effects: infusion reactions such as fevers, rigors, blood pressure changes, shortness of breath can occur. Serious side effects include low blood counts (fatigue, infections), new blood cancers, skin reactions, impaired fertility.

Question 6

can children receive immunotherapy?

Accepted Answer

5+ year olds: Five is the youngest recommended age to start immunotherapy in the United States for several reasons, including the difficulties younger children may have in cooperating with the immunotherapy program. Recent studies have suggested immunotherapy may prevent the development of new allergies in children and also may prevent the development of asthma in children who have rhinitis.

Question 7

when should immunotherapy be stopped?

Accepted Answer

Discuss w/ allergist: If immunotherapy is successful, maintenance treatment is generally continued for three to five years. The decision to stop immunotherapy should be discussed with your allergist/immunologist after three to five years of treatment. Some individuals may experience lasting remission of their allergy symptoms but others may relapse after discontinuing immunotherapy.

Question 8

how long does the immunotherapy take?

Accepted Answer

How long: I have ssen it work fairly quickly weeks to months in younger individuals. Longer in some than others.

Question 9

how is radio-immunotherapy administered?

Accepted Answer

In steps: Radio-immunotherapy (rit) is given in three steps, all through an iv.  Step 1:  an antibody to b cells alone to clear out some normal b cells.  Step 2:  an antibody to b cells with a small amount of radiation attached, followed by imaging.  Step 3:  a "hot" antibody to b cells with a larger dose of radiation attached.  This acts like a smart bomb to kill cancerous b cells (lymphoma cells).

Question 10

who should be treated with immunotherapy?

Accepted Answer

People w/ allergies: Immunotherapy is only recommended for allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, and stinging insect allergy. Immunotherapy for food allergies is not recommended. The best option for people with food allergies is to strictly avoid that food.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Immunotherapy

A member asked:

What is immunotherapy?

A member asked:

What can immunotherapy treat?

A member asked:

What happens in immunotherapy?

A member asked:

What is targeted immunotherapy?

A member asked:

How does radio immunotherapy feel?

A member asked:

Can children receive immunotherapy?

A member asked:

When should immunotherapy be stopped?

A member asked:

How long does the immunotherapy take?

A member asked:

How is radio-immunotherapy administered?

A member asked:

Who should be treated with immunotherapy?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?