Clinical Immunologist

A Clinical Immunologist is a medical professional who specializes in identifying and treating diseases and conditions involving the immune system. Clinical Immunologists work face to face and hands-on with their patients to identify and relieve their symptoms.

When spring hits, if you’re a Clinical Immunologist your waiting room is usually filled with coughing, wheezing, weeping-eyed patients looking for a quick fix to the scourge of allergy season. What they see as outward symptoms like itchy eyes and non-stop sneezing, you see as their body’s effort to fight off pollen, grass seed, or other allergens in the air.

In order to help, you need to identify the enemy, so you order blood tests, examine the patient, and collect a family history. With a holistic view of the patient, you’re able to identify the allergen, and offer medications and other techniques to alleviate symptoms.

Your job goes far beyond dealing with seasonal allergies though. You also work with patients who have life-threatening allergies to bees, peanut butter, strawberries, or other foods. Other common autoimmune diseases include pneumonia, HIV, cancer, and chronic or sports-induced asthma.

A job as a Clinical Immunologist is very rewarding. You see children conquer disease, allergy sufferers find relief, and patients improve their quality of life. In addition to prescribing medications and recommending treatments, you offer something that every patient needs—hope.