Allergy & Immunity

What is an allergy? An allergy is the body's reaction to a substance (allergen) that is usually harmless — mistaking it for a threat.

Lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus — SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks many parts of the body. It mostly affects young women (roughly 9× more than men), often in the 20s and 30s, and is more common and more severe in South Asians than in Europeans.

Allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever when seasonal) is inflammation of the inside of the nose caused by an allergic reaction to airborne allergens. It's extremely common in India — dust mites, air pollution, pollen, and mould spores are all frequent triggers.

Food allergy is the immune system reacting to a specific food protein. It is different from food intolerance (like lactose intolerance, which is a digestive issue, not immune).

Latex allergy is an immune reaction to proteins in natural rubber latex. It's relevant to healthcare workers, patients with repeated surgeries, spina bifida, and people who use latex condoms, rubber gloves, or balloons.

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) are three vaccine-preventable diseases that are still causing real illness and deaths in India. The vaccines against them are given in combination (DPT in children, Td/Tdap in adolescents and adults).