Primary Immunodeficiency
This group of disorders is so called, as there is no secondary factor, such as chemotherapy, to account for the immunodeficiency. Patients with primary immunodeficiencies experience persistent or recurrent, severe and often unusual infections depending upon which part of the immune system is affected. The treatment of these conditions will depend upon the type of disease, and may consist of antibiotics, physiotherapy, immunisations or replacement immunoglobulin therapy.
Antibody deficient patients requiring long-term or lifelong treatment with replacement immunoglobulin can be treated using two different techniques:
Intravenous immunoglobulin
This is given predominantly in the hospital setting every three to four weeks.
Subcutaneous immunoglobulin
Rapid subcutaneous infusions are available and are offered to all patients. The infusion generally takes between 30 minutes and two hours depending upon the dosage, and is given weekly, usually in the home setting.
Home Therapy
Self-infusion of immunoglobulin at home provides greater convenience and Independence for the patient. It may save time off work or school travelling to and from the hospital. No medical or nursing staff are required for the infusion and this leaves outpatient bed space free as well as giving patients greater control over their condition.
Allergy
Our immune system is designed to protect against harmful external agents such as infections. However, in allergic individuals the immune system becomes sensitised to harmless substances such as pollens and food and can produce an inappropriate response when exposed.
This can be broadly divided into:
- Substances that we eat (Food Allergy)
- Substances that we breathe (Inhalant Allergy)
- Medications (Drug Allergy)
- Insect Stings (Venom Allergy)
Information regarding the common causes, symptoms and management of common allergies is available on the AllergyUK website.
Urticaria
If you are diagnosed with spontaneous urticaria in our department you may be asked to fill in a symptom questionnaire to monitor your condition. We also use this information to determine whether your level of symptoms would qualify for other types of treatment recommended by national guidelines. You can complete the form using any of the standard PDF softwares on your mobile or computer.
You have to remember to save the form each time you fill it in. Once completed you can send it as an attachment to our department email address below with subject as “Urticaria Scoring Sheet FAO (the doctor/nurse/pharmacist who had reviewed you last)”. If you have difficulties completing the form you could print and complete by hand. Once complete, take pictures of the form with your mobile or scan with computer and email them back as above.
Departmental email: [email protected]