Immunology in United Kingdom

Immunology is the branch of medical and biological sciences that focuses on the immune system, which is the system involved in defending the body from infection. Medical doctors who specialize in diagnosing, treating, and managing health conditions that affect the immune system are called immunologists. Some of the immune-related conditions that immunologists may help diagnose and treat are as follows:

• Allergic conjunctivitis
• Allergic rhinitis
• Anaphylaxis
• Autoimmune disorders
• Autoinflammatory syndromes
• Asthma
• Atopic dermatitis
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• CREST syndrome
• Eosinophilic esophagitis
• Primary immunodeficiency diseases
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sarcoidosis
• Scleroderma
• Sjogren's syndrome
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Urticaria.

In some cases, immunologists also provide support for the diagnosis and management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), other systemic/severe infections, tuberculosis, and multiple sclerosis. 

A wide range of tests and procedures are performed by immunologists to identify and treat immune conditions, including:

• Patch tests to identify specific substances that cause allergic skin reactions.
• Antibody tests to measure the levels of antibodies present in the blood. This test is performed to diagnose allergies and immunodeficiency conditions.
• Skin prick test to detect specific immediate allergies to food and environmental triggers.
• T cell tests to evaluate a person’s T cell activity, which is specialized immune cells in the blood.

Treatment for immune diseases usually involves the administration of medications, such as steroids or other immunosuppressant medications, and general surgery or transplantation, such as stem cell transplantation. 

How Long Should I Stay in United Kingdom?

Tests and treatments conducted by immunologists are largely outpatient-based, meaning you do not need to stay in the hospital after your appointment. However, you may need to stay in United Kingdom for a few days for follow-up checkups, usually to discuss the results of the test or to see how you are responding to treatments.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

In most cases, no recovery time is needed after the appointment with your immunologist. However, depending on your condition and the symptoms you are experiencing, your immunologist may advise you to rest and take some time off work until you do not experience any symptoms that interfere with your ability to perform your daily activities.

What Aftercare is Required?

Since treatments and management of immune diseases typically involve medications, it is important that you take the medications as prescribed by your immunologist. You will likely be given a set of instructions, which may include diet and activity restrictions. It is important that you follow all of the instructions to prevent complications. You may also need to attend regular checkups, but you can choose to have them with your local doctor instead of your immunologist in United Kingdom if you prefer. In some cases, supportive treatments, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and podiatry may be recommended.

What's the Success Rate?

Immunology research is constantly being conducted to increase the understanding of how the immune systems work and to develop better ways of diagnosing and treating immunological conditions. While there is currently no cure for many immune diseases, such as allergy and autoimmune disease, treatments are proven to be highly successful and safe to control the disease and manage the symptoms. 

Are there Alternatives?

In most cases, you need to see an immunologist for immune-disease. However, depending on the type of disease you have, you may be able to see other specialists or your immunologist may refer you to the relevant specialist. For example, if you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may be referred to a rheumatologist.

Immunology in and around United Kingdom

About the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy comprising much of the British Isles. This Union is more than 300 years old and comprises four constituent countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It occupies all of the island of Great Britain, the north-eastern portion of the island of Ireland, and most of the remaining British Isles. The UK is an island nation but shares an open land border with Ireland. The UK has a population of 65 million people, the capital and largest city is London.

The United Kingdom welcomes an ever-increasing number of medical tourists each year, many of which travel for Immunology procedures. The government provides all British citizens free or low-cost care under the NHS, also known as the National Health System, leaving a small private sector for routine operations, which caters to people that do not want to wait in line for elective procedures or are not citizens or residents of the Islands. 

Popular Parts of United Kingdom

Made up of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom is filled with vibrant cities and tranquil countryside.

• England is home to London, United Kingdom’s largest city and capital which also serves as its financial center. Today, the country continues to be one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Although most tourists stay in London, the country actually has a plethora of attractions spread all over its cities. Tourists can check out Buckingham Palace, visit the Tower of London, explore Stonehenge, relax on the beach in Brighton, hike Hadrian’s Wall, or go museum hopping.
• Scotland is popular for its welcoming locals, beautiful parks, ancient architecture, spectacular lochs and mountains, and delightful whiskey. Its vast wilderness area is a great place to have some fantastic outdoor adventures. The country is rich in history and culture, which is evident in its hundreds of castles and historical sites. It also has glorious cities, such as Edinburgh, a city filled with parks, museums, cobblestone streets, and pubs.
• Wales might be tiny, but this green country offers countless opportunities for its inhabitants and visitors to escape into nature. The country is mainly mountainous, making it a hiker’s paradise. Its higher peaks lie in the north and central areas, including the famous Snowdon. Not only widely-known for its lush greenery, but the country is also a wonderful beach destination. In the summer, families will fill up the beaches to soak up the sun and kids will be running around in the sand. Wales’s beautiful landscape is complemented by stunning castles which should not be missed by any visitors.
• Northern Ireland is often overlooked by tourists, but once they arrive, they will be surprised by its serene scenery, friendly people, and scrumptious food scene.  Giant’s Causeway, the country’s only UNESCO World Heritage site, has been attracting visitors from all around the world. It is a remarkable hexagonal-stone formation with an interesting magical tales behind it. Another popular attraction is the Titanic Belfast, a museum that provides nine galleries where visitors can discover the Titanic story. Visitors will be able to learn about the ship’s construction and get new insights into its disastrous demise.

Weather and Climate in the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom enjoys a temperate climate and has plenty of rain all year round. Tourists can visit any time of year as it does not experience extreme weather. There is a great variety of changeable weather, but the overall weather and seasons are generally the same throughout this sovereign country. 

• The Spring months are from late March to early June and this season is known to be one of the best times to visit the United Kingdom because the weather is warming up and beautiful spring flowers are blooming and the temperatures range from 9 °C to 12 °C.
• Summer is from June to August and is the hottest season of the year but the temperatures rarely rise above 35 °C. Although rainfall will decrease during this season, prepare to find some rainy days. During this season, some cities like London experiences approximately 15 hours of sunshine.
• September to November is Autumn, and it has a variety of weather. The early months of September and October are still quite warm, but the temperatures will decrease in November. Typically, November is also the wettest month of the year.
• With an average temperature of 4 °C, Winter is the coldest season in the United Kingdom. The season can be wet and windy with frost and occasional snow. Winter also experiences minimal daylight. Despite the gloomy weather, it is an enjoyable time to visit the large cities because the tourist attractions are usually quieter and the cities can be very festive. 

Getting Around in the United Kingdom

There are plenty of airports in the United Kingdom, but the busiest and the largest airport is the London Heathrow Airport. It is the second busiest airport in the world after Dubai Airport. The airport has international connections with almost every country around the globe, including countries in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and North America. It also serves domestic flights which provide an easy way to travel around the United Kingdom. There are budget airlines that offer a more affordable option for those who want to get around by plane. 

The United Kingdom is very well connected by plane, train, and bus. The train is the most popular mode of transport and one of the most comfortable. Tickets can be booked online and it can be expensive, but most trains are equipped with air conditioning and sometimes Wi-Fi. There are two classes of train, the Standard Class and the First Class. Big cities and towns are usually connected by a regular bus service. The cost can be cheap, but the further you travel away from a city, the more expensive the cost. It is best to invest in an Oyster Card if you wish to travel by bus.

Taxis are available in most cities. There are two types of taxis; the metered taxis (painted in black) and private hire taxis (known as minicabs). The taxis should have a taxi-license displayed on the dashboard. The metered taxis can be hailed directly from the streets, while the minicabs have to be ordered via telephone. The minicabs are usually more affordable than the metered taxis because they operate on fixed prices and sometimes are even open to negotiation.

Tourist Visas in the United Kingdom

Citizens of the European Union can enter the United Kingdom without a visa. Additionally, British Nationals who are not European Union citizens and nationals of 56 countries can enter and stay for up to 180 days (90 days if they enter from the Republic of Ireland). Citizens of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE can obtain an online electronic visa waiver (EVW). Other nationals not listed in the visa-exempt for stays in the UK (including China and Russia) need to apply and obtain a visa before entering the country.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Pound sterling is the official currency (£). US$ 1 will get you £0.8.
2. Money & Payments: International ATMs that allow foreigners to withdraw cash directly from their home account can be found easily across the United Kingdom. Credit cards are accepted in restaurants, shops, and hotels (mostly Visa and MasterCard). Tipping varies between countries, but generally optional.
3. Local Language: English is the official language and spoken by approximately 98% of the population. A number of regional languages are also spoken (Welsh, Irish, Scottish Gaelic, and Cornish). There are also people who will speak some foreign languages, mainly French, German, and Spanish.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Christianity is the most popular religion. However, more than 25% of the population follows no religion. Other religions such as Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism, and Buddhism are in the minority.
5. Public Holidays: There is a variation of public holidays in the United Kingdom. Typically, the countries celebrate New Year’s Day and Christmas Day.