I have been referred to the Immunology service what happens now ?
The referral sent by your GP will have been reviewed by a consultant. In some cases we write a letter back offering advice only. In other cases we offer a consultation. If your referral has been accepted you will be sent a text message with a link to the NHS app which will display your appointment details and give you the option to rebook, cancel or accept the appointment. If the link sent by text message isn’t accessed within a certain timeframe you will receive a letter through the post with the appointment details.
What happens at my appointment ?
You will be reviewed by a doctor or nurse. We will ask you about your medical history in detail and then make a plan for any further investigations which tends to be blood tests. Your doctor or nurse will review the results and make a plan for follow up with you.
What is the Immunology clinic for ?
This clinic is to determine if there is a problem with your immune system. You may have experienced more infections then is usually expected or had an infection that is unusual or severe. Most immune system problems are very rare and we start by taking a detailed history and then plan some blood tests.
What is Immunodeficiency?
Immunodeficiency is where the immune system does not clear infection as well as it should. This can be primary or secondary.
Primary immunodeficiency is diagnosed when there is no other identified cause for the problem with the immune system (such as previous chemotherapy or immunosuppression). Patients with primary immunodeficiencies experience persistent, recurrent or severe and often unusual infections depending on which part of the immune system is affected. The treatment of these conditions will depend on the type of disease and may consist of antibiotics, physiotherapy, immunisations or replacement immunoglobulin (antibody) therapy.
Secondary Immunodeficiency is caused by previous treatments with some chemotherapy agents. It also presents with recurrent, severe, or unusual infections. They may consist of antibiotics, physiotherapy, immunisations, or replacement immunoglobulin (antibody) therapy.
Where can I find more information about Immunodeficiency?
Find out more about the different types of immunodeficiencies, and the selection of treatments that are available to those living with immunodeficiency.
Immunodeficiency UK websiteI have Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) or acquired angioedema, where can I find more information about this?
Please see the HAE UK website for more information about Hereditary Angioedema.
HAE UK – Living for today… Planning for tomorrow HAE Tracker – HAE’s app by patients, for patients