Suggest Treatment For Elevated IgE Level Post Recovering From Dengue

Posted on Wed, 16 Sep 2015

Question: Hello doctor,
My husband's blood report shows an elevated IgE level of 713. He is of an allergic disposition, having constant sneezing and rhinitis problems for many years. He also has a sinus problem. Moreover, he had an attack of dengue in Dec 2014 which had led to bilateral pneumonia. He was hospitalized and treated with strong antibiotics. Is the elevated igE level caused by the dengue Please let me know what line of treatment he can be given to reduce the IgE levels and if his reading is alarming.
Thanks,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No, dengue can not cause raised IgE level.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your husband's situation and problem.
IgE is marker of allergic inflammation.
So dengue infection is not a cause for his high IgE.
Since he is having allergies, possibility of uncontrolled allergic rhinitis and asthma is more.
And on both these conditions, IgE is raised.
So please let me know
1. Since how many years, he is having all these symptoms?
2. Is he taking any drugs?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your husband. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (42 minutes later)

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your response. He has always been a chronic rhinitis and sinusitis person, and always takes antihistamines like Actifed many years ago and now Cetrizine to bring down the allergy. We discovered this elevated level in igE as part of his routine blood test. He is not on any drugs. He does have bulged discs and takes pain killer on and off.

Thanks,

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Does he have shortness of breath and wheezing?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Possibility of allergic rhinitis is more.
And his high IgE level is due to this only.
Allergic rhinitis is often associated with undiagnosed bronchial asthma.
So please let me know
1. Is he having occasional breathlessness and wheezing?
2. Is he having cough especially in night?
Treatment of allergic rhinitis is combination of antihistamine and anti allergic drugs, nasal spray containing steroid.
So please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your husband. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Hello doctor,

He doesn't necessarily have breathlessness or wheezing. However after dengue his immunity seems low and he gets sore throat and sinus quite often...more than that his rhinitis attacks have increased. He was put on mild steroids and doxcyxycline for 10 days to clear the mucus...he's okay now but I know it will come back. How can he improve his immunity and reduce the igE count doctor?

Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Start combination of antihistamine and anti allergic drugs.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your husband's situation and problem.
He is classical case of allergic rhinitis.
But if he frequently gets sore throat and other viral infections than we must rule out immunodeficiency.
So please let me know
1. Has he ever checked for immunoglobulin levels?
2. Was he ever prescribed intranasal spray containing steroid and anti allergic drug (montelukast)?.
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your husband.
Thanks.

Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar