Q: Should we stop at-home walnut allergy immunotherapy if my child is vomiting and has a fever?

Medically reviewed by Sang Hyun Ahn, MD

Content edited by Myeongchan Kim, MD

This post is a dramatization of a question and answer session experienced by our actual medical reviewers. Please note that this content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

Question:

I have a question! Early this morning, my child woke up crying with abdominal pain and nausea, and ended up vomiting twice, even throwing up gastric acid. Now, they have a fever. We are planning to visit the clinic later this morning.

My child has a walnut allergy and has been doing at-home oral immunotherapy for the past two weeks. Today is supposed to be the start of the third week. Should we continue the immunotherapy despite the vomiting, or should we stop it for now?

Answer:

It sounds like it was a difficult night with the vomiting and abdominal pain. It is completely understandable that you are worried, especially since your child now has a fever. Regarding the walnut immunotherapy, I strongly recommend the following based on your child's current condition:

Pause the immunotherapy for today.

* Vomiting and fever indicate that your child's body is currently sick and fighting an illness.

* Proceeding with allergy immunotherapy while sick significantly increases the risk of an allergic reaction.

* Extra caution is absolutely necessary when the gastrointestinal tract is unstable.

When you visit the clinic today, please be sure to inform the doctor of the following:

1. Your child has completed 2 weeks of walnut immunotherapy.

2. You were scheduled to start week 3 today.

3. Your child vomited twice early this morning and currently has a fever.

Guidelines for resuming immunotherapy:

* Wait until at least 24 hours have passed since the last episode of vomiting.

* Ensure the fever has completely resolved.

* Wait until your child is able to tolerate and eat normal meals again.

* Consult with your child's attending allergist before restarting.

Please seek treatment for your child's current symptoms at the clinic today and ask for specific instructions on how to safely adjust the immunotherapy schedule. I hope your child feels better soon!

For extra peace of mind and clear guidance when tracking your child's symptoms, the FeverCoach app is always there to help.

https://fevercoach.us