Allergies: When the Immune System Backfires (FutureLearn)

You will address the events, mishaps, and discoveries that have led to a common understanding of allergies today. You will explore different types of allergies, like food allergies and hayfever, as well as allergy symptoms, methods of diagnosis, and different allergy treatments with the support of case studies.

What topics will you cover?

- The similarities and distinctions between allergies and infections

- The immune system: exploring the topography of the immune organs, defining components, cells, and mediators

- Atopic disorders: hay-fever, asthma and food allergy

- Bee and wasp sting allergy

- Contact eczema and atopic dermatitis

- Drug hypersensitivities

- Diagnostic approach and therapeutic possibilities

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

Explore the basic functioning and role of the immune system in health and disease.

Investigate the components that make up the immune system and how they interact in an allergic reaction.

Develop knowledge on how to recognize manifestations, signs and symptoms of allergic disorders.

Identify different allergic disorders and learn how to consider diagnosis and treatments.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for healthcare professionals or students studying health sciences. It will also be of interest to the general public looking to gain insights into the immune system and allergies.