Jonah
A rash of allergies

BY LISA TREI

FALL 2006 -- Jonah Fong is a bright 4-year-old who likes playing with cars, reading storybooks and enjoying a typical preschooler's life. But the carefree curiosity he exhibits during a visit to the allergy outpatient clinic across the street from Packard Hospital belies the complicated medical regime his parents must follow to keep him alive.

Jonah, 4, was born with severe allergies, but already knows to ask "Can I eat that?" when something new is offered.

Jonah was born with severe allergies and asthma, hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis and eczema. His skin gets treated daily to control rashes and he takes antihistamines for allergies. The care ramps up when an asthma attack occurs. If this weren't enough, Jonah also is allergic to wheat, soy, nuts, and eggs.

But Jonah's parents, who are doctors, know their son is lucky because he is treated at a clinic staffed by leading specialists in pediatric allergy, asthma and immunology. Remington Fong, Jonah's father, says he can read a medical journal article about a new therapy and ask whether it might help his son. "It's great to get that scientific answer -- yes, no and why -- right away," he says. Elizabeth Lee, his mother, said Packard clinicians will know the answers because they're at the top of their field.

On a hot summer day, allergy and immunology specialist Kari Nadeau, MD, PhD, a recent fellow, walks in to a checkup room where Jonah, and his mom and dad are waiting. It's a ritual that's repeated every six months. Nadeau listens to Jonah's heart, and checks his lungs, ears, and nose for fluids.

Although he is only 4, Jonah already knows to ask, "Can I eat that?" when something new is offered. He understands what "allergic" means, his mom says, and that some foods make him really sick. Jonah is expected to outgrow his allergies to wheat, soy, and eggs but not nuts. "Although we're doctors, there's nothing that confers him any advantage in that respect," Lee says. "We have to wait out his food allergies, just like with any other kid."

Meet the Patients

Nathan Parks, age 18

Jenny Hoyland, age 11

Jonah Fong, age 4

Rachel Herrera, age 12