Expectations:

Mark E. Reiber, M.D., F. A.C.S., F.A.A.O.A.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could just take a pill or a shot and never be sick again? If you are faithful with allergy shots or drops, shouldn’t you be rewarded by not having sinus infections? Why put in all that time, money and effort if you are still going to get sick? It just isn’t fair!

Well, those expectations are unrealistic of course, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't notice considerable improvement. Upper respiratory problems like sinus infections are caused by several factors including viruses. Allergy treatment doesn’t prevent viral infections like colds, and so you will still get sick. The average person will get 2 respiratory tract infections per year. If you are around children or deal with the public closely, you might even experience more.

So why bother with allergy treatment and what can you expect if you do try it?  The goal is to improve and see a decrease in allergy related problems. Results will not occur immediately and  I recommend withholding judgment of success until about one year. Look back on the last 6 months and determine if your symptoms have improved and your quality of life is better. If you honestly can’t see improvement, then it probably isn’t worthy of continuing. We find however that the great majority of patients do benefit greatly from following a course of environmental control, carefully chosen medications and immunotherapy.