Long School of Medicine

An Update on Allergy Prevention, Immunotherapy, and Immune Deficiency

Holly Wayment, Physician Relations Spec - Sr Marketing, Comm & Media

Host Holly Wayment, Physician Relations Specialist Sr., talks to leading pediatric experts in the field.

Our episodes include fresh content and also grand rounds. Episodes are eligible for free CME, MOC and ethics credit, depending on the content.

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Email us with questions and suggested episode ideas: wayment@uthscsa.edu

FACULTY:

Ed Brooks, MD is a pediatrician and allergist at UT Health San Antonio with 30 years of experience, who was on the national panel that set these guidelines.  Dr. Brooks is also division chief for allergy, immunology and infectious disease at the University of Texas Health Science Center.

OVERVIEW:

In this episode of Pediatrics Now, host Holly Wayment dives into an engaging conversation with Dr. Ed Brooks, a leading authority in Allergy, Immunology, and Infective Disease from the University of Texas Health Science Center. We explore rising pollen allergies, the impact of our surroundings on our immune responses, and the crucial role of early intervention in managing allergies. Dr. Brooks highlights climate change's onset on worsening spring allergy seasons and the significant role our homes, lifestyles, and cleanliness habits play in shaping our immunological responses.

Discussing our societal transition from rural to urban settings, the growing obsession with cleanliness, and our minimal exposure to environmental microorganisms, Dr. Brooks relates all these aspects with the abnormal immune responses noticed today. Interestingly, he also acquaints us with how owning pets at home and spending more time outdoors can lead children to develop superior immunity.

We also delve into dangerous chemicals present in our daily lives, with Dr. Brooks advising the reduction of potent cleaning agents and pesticides. Meanwhile, he signifies the need for exposure to natural environments and warns against the potential hazards of harmful external contaminants entering our homes.

As the episode continues, we discuss practical challenges connected to immunotherapy. Dr. Brooks talks about his son's success story in treating severe cat allergies with sublingual drops while emphasizing the risk of non-standardized extracts leading to inconsistency in allergy shots or drops' potency levels. We also discover some intriguing research findings tied to the immune-boosting benefits for individuals frequently exposed to their allergens.

In the final segment, we venture into the realm of immune deficiencies, with Dr. Brooks explaining the severity of immune deficiencies and their potential treatments. We wrap the episode with a review of the progress in identifying and managing immune deficiencies with the help of genetic testing advancements.

This episode provides an abundance of essential information and expert insights on allergies and immunology that would benefit healthcare professionals and general listeners seeking awareness.

DISCLOSURES:

Ed Brooks, MD has no financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

The Pediatric Grand Rounds Planning Committee (Deepak Kamat, MD, PhD, Steven Seidner, MD, Daniel Ranch, MD and Elizabeth Hanson, MD) has no financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose. 

The UT Health Science Center San Antonio and Deepak Kamat, MD course director and content reviewer for the activity, have reviewed all financial disclosure information for all speakers, facilitators, and planning committee members; and determined and resolved all conflicts of interests.

CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION STATEMENTS:

The UT Health Science Center San Antonio is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The UT Health Science Center San Antonio designates this live activity up to a maximum of 0.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

CREDITS:
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (0.50)
Non-Physician Participation Credit (0.50)