Tim
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 Posted: 10/05/06 - 04:14 Post subject: Long-term relief from hay fever on the way |
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Scientists developed a new treatment for hay fever sufferers that would help them get rid and prevent symptoms by using only six weekly shots, instead of injections once or twice a week over three to five years time.
The technique used could be also used for addressing allergies triggered by other irritants as well like grass, dust mites and cats.
The most common irritant that brings on hay fever symptoms is ragweed. Between 20 million to 30 million people in the US are allergic to this weed and suffer the consequences in the autumn season.
The new treatment, named AIC, is not supposed to only treat the symptoms. It also stimulates the immune system by targeting the defects that cause the allergy.
The treatment involves a component of ragweed that sets off the allergic reaction and synthetic chunk of DNA that stimulates the immune system. One treatment that included six weeks of shots provided relief for over a year for those who tried it. Not only were they free of symptoms that autumn but they also had fewer problems in the peak of the season the following year.
The current treatment is also effective but it carries risks of developing life-threatening allergic reaction and this is why many people avoid it.
No matter such good results of the new treatment, it won’t be available to the public until 2009 or 2010 at the earliest. |
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