Patients with food allergies are used to looking for allergens lurking in their refrigerators and medicine cabinets. The last place people with egg allergies thought they needed to be concerned with were their flu shots.
Even so, every winter, a small group of patients seeking to avoid the flu must waive their doctor's request they receive a flu shot because of an egg allergy contraindication.
The Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recently published a report that is great news for patients with egg allergies who hope to prevent getting sick this year.
Prevalence and Effects of Egg Allergies
Allergies to eggs are the second most common food allergy in children, after an allergy to milk products. The reaction to eggs occurs when proteins from the whites or yolks enter a person's body and get mistaken for immune invaders.
People with allergies to just the whites or just the yolks of eggs unfortunately have to give up eggs completely, because it is nearly impossible to separate the whites and yolks at the protein level.
Some reactions to eggs among those with allergies can be mild, and can include skin irritations and rashes. Other more serious side effects are respiratory difficulties and anaphylactic shock.
If untreated, these reactions can cause major damage to otherwise healthy bodies.
Unfortunately, many have had to weigh the harmful consequences of coming down with the flu with these side effects for possible allergic reactions.
Research Shows Egg Allergies Are Not Triggered by Flu Shots
After reviewing a large number of studies on the topic of flu shots in those with egg allergies, the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology has concluded that even patients with life-threatening allergic reactions can safely receive the immunization in a single dose.
The researchers also note that the concern for allergic reactions is important, but that it should not outweigh getting immunized.
This is one of the worst flu seasons on record, with twenty states reporting high levels of flu activity. With concerns for the availability of Tamiflu, a prescription given to patients within one to two days of getting the flu, doctors are urging immunizations. If a patient can receive a flu shot, it should be the first line of defense.
Of course, with this information comes the recommendation that all recipients of the flu shot, and especially children, should be supervised for half an hour after being immunized to make sure no ill side effects are being experienced.
Precautions include receiving the shot from a licensed physician and making that doctor aware of the potential for an allergic reaction if the egg allergy is not already on record.
Patients with egg allergies should get their flu shots as soon as they can. Those with allergies should avoid drug store and supermarket immunization sites, as there might not be a physician on hand.
Traditional doctor's offices are a better call, as are walk-in clinics where it's likely a patient might be seen quickly and without the wait of having to make an appointment.
Good walk-in clinics will have licensed physicians available and will be likely to have flu shots in stock because immunizations are a common offering.
If you're looking for the latest information about your health, urgent care and the walk in clinic industry visit our blog today.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Steadman
No comments:
Post a Comment