Paediatric Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Disease

Paediatric Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Disease is a paediatric sub-speciality that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of immunological issues, allergies, and infectious diseases in infants, children, and adolescents. This subspecialty involves studying the function of the immune system in children, such as primary immunodeficiency disorders and autoimmune diseases. It also involves identifying and managing allergic diseases, including allergic reactions to environmental factors, food, medications, etc. The field also deals with diagnosing recurrent or unusual infections, preventing and treating various infectious diseases that affect children, and providing guidance on immunisations and infection control.

Conditions related to the immune system and allergies

Allergic rhinitis (Nasal allergies)

Allergic conjunctivitis (Eye allergies)

Reactive airway disease、Asthma

Allergic pneumonia

Atopic dermatitis (Eczema)

Urticaria（Hives）、Angioedema

Food Allergy

Drug Allergy

Autoimmune diseases (such as Juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic Lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, Kawasaki disease)

Primary immunodeficiency disorders

Common childhood infectious diseases

Respiratory infections﹕including influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection

Gastrointestinal infections: including viral gastroenteritis, bacterial infections (such as Salmonella or E.Coli) and parasitic infections

Ear infections: E.g. acute otitis media caused by bacterial infection

Chickenpox

Measles

Rubella

Mumps

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Pertussis

Recurrent infections such as recurrent pneumonia, meningitis or skin infections

Allergy Test

The purpose of allergy testing is to identify which specific allergens a person has an allergic reaction to. Doctors can provide appropriate treatment and management recommendations for allergy patients based on the test results. We offer various allergy testing methods for different allergy symptoms, including:

Skin prick test

Skin patch test

IgE blood test

Food challenge test

Drug allergy assessment and testing

Read more﹕How to choose allergy testing? Comparing 3 suitable testing methods for different individuals

Desensitisation therapy

Desensitisation therapy is a treatment method used to address severe allergic reactions caused by specific allergens. The aim of desensitisation therapy is to reduce or eliminate the body’s response to a particular allergen, thereby improving the patient’s tolerance to it. Desensitisation therapy methods include:

Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT)

Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT)

Oral Desensitisation

Drug Desensitisation

Sublingual immunotherapy carries a relatively lower risk among these methods, making it particularly suitable for paediatric patients. However, patients are still advised to take antihistamines before undergoing the treatment to minimise potential side effects. As allergic reactions may occur during the treatment process, it is crucial to have medical professionals supervise the procedure. The duration of treatment varies depending on individual circumstances and may range from several months to several years. Desensitisation therapy is an effective option in some instances, but it may not be applicable to all allergic conditions. The decision to pursue desensitisation therapy is based on factors such as the patient’s medical history, the nature of the allergen, and the overall health condition, as determined by the doctor.

Virtus Medical Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases Sepicalists