Dr. Irum Alisha Qureshi

ASTHMA, ALLERGY, AND IMMUNOLOGY

From a very young age, Dr. Irum Alisha Qureshi knew that she wanted to be a physician like her mother and many other accomplished women in her family. Now a Board Certified specialist with a practice at Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, she offers expert diagnosis and treatment of allergic disorders, including sinus disease, asthma, eczema, hives, food reactions, reactions to insects and drugs, eye allergies, frequent upper respiratory tract infections, ear infections, eosinophlic esophagitis, hypogammaglobulinemia, combined immunodeficiency and other conditions with a possible immunologic basis.

Dr. Qureshi’s practice includes a comprehensive range of services that creates a high-quality allergy clinic using the most current best-practice methods in allergy, asthma and immunology. She takes great pride not only in clinical excellence, but also in personalizing quality care, saying, “To some, asthma and sinus allergies could be only seasonal, but for others, these can be very disabling and damaging leading to absence from school and work.”

Working closely with patients and families to elucidate the cause, mechanism and best treatment of allergic and immunologic disorders, Dr. Qureshi says, “Educating parents and families certainly pays off. It improves their understanding of the disease process and lowers the frustration and anxiety leading to a better response to therapy. It also helps patients avoid the cause of their symptoms when possible.” She adds, “I would also like our broader community to be more aware of the excellent treatments now available for allergies, asthma and immunodeficiency. Moreover, these conditions are best managed by a specialist, board certified in Allergy and Immunology.”

At Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology, Dr. Qureshi offers a range of testing and treatment options, including skin testing for inhalants and foods, lung function testing, patch testing for allergies to chemicals, drug allergy testing, oral food challenges, allergen immunotherapy to potentially cure allergies, immunoglobulin treatment for immunodeficiency, and biologic therapy.

Dr. Qureshi specializes in the use of biologics to treat severe asthma, eczema, chronic sinus disease with nasal polyps, and chronic hives. She says, “As the name suggests, Biologic therapy treatments are derived from the cells of living organisms that are then modified to target specific and critical pathways that lead to the inflammation which cause symptoms. I work very closely with my patients to fully evaluate and assess them to understand if they truly would benefit from such therapies. The efficacy of biologics can be remarkable. They offer drastic life-changing therapy for patients that have failed traditional therapies. This can significantly improve their quality of life and decrease exacerbations, emergency room visits, hospitalizations and the need for oral steroids.”

Dr. Qureshi completed her residency in Internal Medicine as Chief Resident in Internal Medicine at Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans and her fellowship in Allergy and Immunology at Children’s Hospital and LSU Medical Center. She and her husband, Dr. Syed Tahseen Rab, have four boys. In her free time, she likes running, reading, spending time outdoors with her family, traveling and enjoying the local Louisiana cuisine.

At the age of 3, Dr. Qureshi told her mother she would one day be a doctor. She has never looked back.

Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology is located at 160 Greenbriar Blvd. in Covington, 893-5780. aai-health.com.