Immunologist Vienna VA

An immunologist is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of immune system.  An immunologist Vienna VA residents admire, offers his or her services for Vienna VA and the surrounding Washington, DC metropolitan area’s citizens as well as its visitors.  Black & Kletz Allergy has a board certified immunologist Vienna VA have trusted for more than 50 years.  The allergy and immunology practice also employs trained staff who assist in the treatment of immune system diseases.  Black & Kletz Allergy has 3 convenient locations including our McLean, VA office which is only minutes from Vienna, VA.  The other 2 office locations are on K Street, NW in Washington, DC and in Manassas, VA.  Our McLean, VA and Washington, DC locations have easy access to many public transportation access points, such as the Metro.

We have the immune system to protect us from infections, tumors, etc.  It is part of our body’s natural defense mechanism.  The cells which are part of our immune system are produced in our bone marrow and some are modified in a gland called the thymus.  These cells are referred to as lymphocytes and circulate in our blood stream.  These lymphocytes manufacture proteins called immunoglobulins (i.e., antibodies) which mediate immune function.  Without their constant surveillance, we would be susceptible to infections and cancers.  Black & Kletz Allergy’s immunologist Vienna VA residents trust can assess the function of one’s immune system by taking a comprehensive history, performing a thorough physical examination, and ordering necessary laboratory studies.  The levels of various antibodies in the blood can be measured and compared with normal values expected in a healthy person.  The numbers of the different types of lymphocytes can also be evaluated.  Sometimes it is necessary to administer vaccines (i.e., pneumonia vaccine) in order to stimulate the immune system to produce specific antibodies to assess its competency.  Deficiencies in the immune function can be primary (i.e., usually present from birth and manifesting in childhood) or secondary (i.e., developing later in life).  Using medications that suppress immune function and certain viral infections such as HIV are the fairly common causes of a secondary immune deficiency.  Black & Kletz Allergy’s immunologist Vienna VA inhabitants desire are trained in the systematic evaluation and identification of the causes of immune defects.  The treatments for primary immunodeficiencies may involve frequent antibiotic use in order to control infections or the long term prophylactic use of antibiotics to prevent infections.  Some disorders such as common variable immune deficiency (CVID) can be treated by infusions (i.e., either into a vein or injected under the skin) of antibodies on a regular basis.  The Black & Kletz Allergy immunologist Vienna VA residents trust is very experienced in immunoglobulin treatments.

Another way the immune system can malfunction is when it attacks our own organs.  The resultant conditions are called autoimmune disorders.  These diseases are the reason that many patients consult an immunologist Vienna VA inhabitants frequent.  Systemic lupus erythematosus is (i.e., lupus) an example of an autoimmune disease, in which many organs may be affected.  Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is another example of an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, resulting in less hormones to be secreted than needed.  In the evaluation and management of autoimmune conditions, an immunologist Vienna VA residents admire is usually a part of the multidisciplinary team of specialists (e.g., rheumatologists, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist) that are often utilized when treating such a disease.

Allergies are also a result of a dysfunction of the immune system.  Allergic disorders are caused when the immune system mistakenly mounts an attack on otherwise harmless substances such as dust mites, pollens, molds, and pets.  This is one of the reasons that most allergy specialists, like the ones at Black & Kletz Allergy, are also clinical immunologists.

The board certified allergy specialists at Black and Kletz Allergy have been diagnosing and treating immune disorders, allergies, and asthma for more than half a decade in the Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland metropolitan area.  We see both adults and pediatric patients and have offices in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA.  We have on-site parking at each of our 3 locations.  Our Washington, DC and McLean, VA offices are Metro accessible.  Black & Kletz Allergy offers a free shuttle service between our McLean, VA office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line.  If you suffer from immunological disorders, recurrent infections, sinus problems, allergies, and/or asthma, please call us to make an appointment.  You may also click Request an Appointment and we will respond within 24 hours by the next business day.  Black & Kletz Allergy is dedicated in providing the most state-of-the-art immunological and allergy treatments in a friendly, compassionate, and professional environment.