How dangerous is it being a immunologist?

Question for Immunologist/Allergist?

• My son is 14 months and has had recurrent respiratory/ear infections. His ENT has decided to put tubes in based on the continuous fluid behind the eardrums, walking and balance problems and 2 failed hearing screening tests. It has been hard to get him to surgery b/c of recurrent infections. He is also seen by an Allergist/Immunologist where they have found he has eczema,milk and latex allergies (both Class 2). He has also shown allergies to Amoxicillin and Cephalosporins and who knows what else. They also think he may have asthma but won't rush to diagnosis till skin testing is done in November. The first time we noticed problems with the milk allergy was when he was given nonfat milk for the 2nd time. Within less than 10 min he broke out in a rash and welps from head to abdomen region (he scratched them like crazy). His eyes began swelling shut he started coughing, choking and then vomiting repetitively. I gave him benadryl but it took a while for him to respond. He was exposed accidentally for the 3rd time in June when he had what was supposed to be a dairy free b-day cake. He began playing in the icing and with 15 min he broke out with blisters and welps on fingers and hands and on the face. Upon further investigation the bakery forgot to make the icing dairy free. My sister fed him a fresh banana and within 10 min his lips began to swell and blisters and welps formed on the face and in the mouth. I'm his mother and about a year ago I was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis and adult onset asthma. I was skin tested and tested pos to everything in the southeast. His father has the most severe form of eczema diagnosed. Just wanted to give you some background info. About 1 week ago his Allergist/Immunologist drew immunoglobulin levels, anti-diptheriae and anti-tetanus. His IgG was 358mg/dl, IgA 14mg/dl, IgM 41mg/dl and IgE 91mg/dl. The other labs were normal. He has been so sick that I'm currently on FMLA so that we can keep him out of daycare till we can get him to surgery for the tubes. He has yet to receive his 1 year(June 15th) immunizations b/c of the recurrent sicknesses and fevers. His immunizations have always been delayed b/c of sickness. I'm still concerned about the low IgG and IgA levels. I wonder if this is why he has so many recurrent infections as well as the secondary infections. Till now everybody has been blaming the ears. Main Questions: Is it normal at this age to see low IgG and IgA levels? What would be the next step knowing all of this info? With the milk and latex at a class 2 allergy why would you see such terrible reactions? Shouldn't you expect a higher class especially with the milk considering what seemed to be a type of anaphylaxis? Is there any further lab testing you would suggest? Thanks, Jennifer Atlanta,GA

• Answer:

  Hello, I'm no immunologist/allergist but I have anaphylaxis myself. In my experience, I have anaphylaxis to cashews but my blood test still appeared negative-the blood tests are only 60% accurate, also my skin prick test was done when I was a lot younger and this was slightly positive/borderline. However the allergy is very severe, the slightest trace of a cashew in a room will make me go into anaphylaxis, with symptoms like swelling, difficulty breathing, palpitations, chest pain, drop in blood pressure etc... Lab tests aren't so accurate. Hope this was helpful.