An immunologist is a doctor who specialises in diseases that affect the immune system. This is the system involved in defending the body from infection.
All allergic and autoimmune conditions.
Treatment of the many allergic and autoimmune problems people may suffer generally involves the adminstration of medications. These may include steroids or other immunosuppressant medications.
Your immunologist will focus on your current symptoms, then ask about prior symptoms. Previous treatments and their efficacy is also very important. Other medical problems, medications, allergies, family and social history are also relevant.
Your immunologist will begin with a general examination and will then focus on the area causing you most trouble. This will vary depending on the clinical presentation.
Entry into immunology training is usually very competitive. Once selected 4 years of specialty training follows. Trainees work and operate under the supervision of a consultant / specialist immunologist. Registrars must sit examinations, manage inpatients and outpatients and are encouraged to conduct research before eventually reaching specialty level.
