Doctor’s Blog

Penicillin Skin Testing Returns

At long last, penicillin skin testing is back! PRE-PEN® was a widely used penicillin skin test product for over 30 years. In 2004, it was withdrawn from the market due to the lack of a dedicated penicillin manufacturing facility. Its safety was never in question, and it remains the most sensitive antibiotic skin test we have. When this product was unavailable, our ability to test for penicillin allergy was severely limited.

Many people are mislabeled “penicillin allergic” when they don’t have a true allergy. In fact, less than 20% of all patients who believe they have a penicillin allergy are truly allergic to penicillin. They may have had a reaction to penicillin, such as a rash, but this does not necessarily mean they have an allergy. Instead, they may have experienced a side effect of penicillin.

The resurgence of PRE-PEN® is extremely important both to patients and to public health in general. The alternative effective antibiotics prescribed for those thought to be penicillin allergic are usually more costly and broader spectrum, which can contribute to overall antibiotic resistance.

We are now pleased to offer PRE-PEN® skin testing in our office. If you have been labeled penicillin allergic and would like further evaluation to confirm whether it is a true allergy, please call us at 732-747-8188 for an appointment.

H1N1 Vaccine Still Encouraged

Available at Two River Allergy and Asthma Group

As spring is finally on the horizon, fewer people are coming down with the flu. In fact, most of the cases we’re seeing now are caused by H1N1, rather than the traditional seasonal flu viruses.

Compared to this past fall when H1N1 vaccine supplies were limited, there are now plenty of vaccine supplies throughout the country, and many people would still benefit from vaccination, according to a spokeswoman from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The declining second wave of H1N1 may eventually lead to a series of new, unknown strains of seasonal flu – and the existing H1N1 vaccines may be effective against these strains. So, H1N1 vaccination is still important to decrease the spread of the virus.

People with asthma who develop either seasonal or H1N1 flu illnesses are at increased risk for serious complications and are more likely to be hospitalized. The flu can also worsen chronic health problems like asthma. Everyone with asthma, ages 6 months and older, should be vaccinated with the H1N1 flu shot. Antiviral drugs (such as Tamiflu® or Relenza®) should be started early to treat flu in those with asthma or other conditions that put them at high risk for complications.

The CDC recommends vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. With an adequate vaccine supply now available, the CDC is encouraging everyone to get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1, including people 65 years and older.

We are pleased to offer the H1N1 vaccine in our office. However, we have limited supplies and are offering vaccines on a first come, first served basis. Please contact us if you would like to receive the H1N1 vaccine. You can also check with your local health department for vaccine administration locations.