Medical care is one of the most important industries in the world, and it is also one of the biggest, as there are now dozens of different branches of medical care that specialize in various fields, diseases, and healthcare technologies.
One of the essential branches of medical care is pediatric immunology, which focuses on providing solutions and treatment for diseases affecting the immune system of children. The people that practice this branch of medical care are aptly called pediatric immunologists, and to find out more about what these medical experts are capable of, here are some details on the work and specialties of a pediatric immunologist.
What is a Pediatric Immunologist?
As mentioned in the introduction, a pediatric immunologist is a medical expert that is responsible for providing treatment for medical conditions and diseases connected to the children’s immune system. Pediatric immunologists know how to examine and treat children in a way that helps them relax and cooperate. Visit Offspring Health to find your pediatrician.
If a child is suffering from an allergic reaction to food or anything he or she has come into contact with, a pediatric immunologist has the capability to reduce the symptoms of the allergic reaction and offer solutions so that the allergy wouldn’t worsen.
A pediatric immunologist would also have knowledge in identifying the allergens that affect a child’s immune system. By finding out the source of the allergy, the pediatric immunologist would be able to give better solutions for treating the said condition.
What are the Common Conditions and Diseases Treated by the Pediatric Immunologist?
There are many forms of allergies that pediatric immunologists are experts on when it comes to offering treatment. Some forms of allergies and diseases connected to the immune system can be treated in just a few days, while others will take years and even a lifetime of treatment to reduce their symptoms. Here are the common diseases and conditions treated by pediatric immunologists.
- Sinusitis
- Asthma
- Eczema
- Hives
- Hay Fever
What’s alarming is that most of these diseases and conditions affect almost all children on a daily basis, as a lot of them would often have severe allergic reactions to various allergens. So, the pediatric immunologist is incredibly important for the health of children, as they will serve as the protector of children in terms of health care so that the allergic symptoms of these young patients wouldn’t worsen.
The Training of Pediatric Immunologists
In order for a person to be a pediatric immunologist, he or she will need to undergo years of training that will hone skills in medical care and specialties of pediatric medicine. Here are the processes involving the training of pediatric immunologists.
- Four years of medical school
- Three years of primary pediatric residency training
- Two to three years of studying programs related to allergies and immunology
- A proper certification from the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (in the United States)
Through this rigorous training, pediatric immunologists will have all the knowledge and skills that they need to provide accurate solutions and treatment for children suffering from allergies and other diseases related to the immune system.
But, the training of pediatric immunologists doesn’t stop after being given certification, as there would be new threats that would constantly pop up every now and then. So, the medical experts would need to stay updated on the latest problems and solutions within the healthcare industry in order for them to gain new knowledge in skilling in treating new diseases.
Treatment and Services Provided by a Pediatric Immunologist
A pediatric immunologist will be able to help heal a child from immune-related diseases and conditions by offering treatment and services within the clinic or hospital. Here are some of the best services that pediatric immunologists provide.
- Allergy testing through painless methods that are safe for children
- Advice about allergen exposure
- Medications for allergies
- Allergy shots or immunotherapy to reduce the symptoms of allergies
- Inhaler for asthma
- Treatments for skin allergies like hives and eczema
- Allergy treatment plans that offer long-term solutions
New treatments and services would sometimes be offered by pediatric immunologists as new threats would eventually rise in the near future. For now, it is up to the medical researcher to figure out solutions for every new problem that the industry is facing almost every year.
Is There a Difference Between an Immunologist and Pediatric Immunologist?
There are technically not many differences between an immunologist for adults and a pediatric immunologist, as they both focus on offering treatments for their patients that have a compromised immune system. However, the pediatric immunologist would usually offer safer and less harsh treatments for children, who would have a weaker immune system that could also react aggressively to medications that are too strong.
What the pediatric immunologist has to understand is that he or she is both an immunologist and a pediatrician, so he or she also needs to know which medications or treatments are better suitable for children. A pediatric immunologist needs to be careful in assigning medications for children so that there won’t be any adverse effects when the medicine is taken by a child.
Allergist vs. Immunologist
There is also a debate on whether or not allergists and immunologists are basically the same. In hindsight, it may look like both of the professions focus on one specific branch of medical care and are experts in the same skills and techniques for allergy treatment.
However, some would say that the difference between the two is that the allergists are more focused on the general aspect of allergies, while immunologists are focused on more complex diseases or conditions affecting the immune system. In today’s era, the distinction between the two professions remains unclear, but the majority rule that both professions are technically the same.
These are several details that you need to know about pediatric immunologists. If you have a child that is suffering from allergies, you should already take him or her to a pediatric immunologist so that you can determine what causes the allergy and how to prevent it.