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Allergies: When the Immune System Backfires

Discover what common allergies reveal about our immune systems and learn more about allergic reactions and treatments.

8,601 enrolled on this course

Illustration showing a flourishing birch tree and grass pollen on the left, and cells of the immune system on the right. In the background is a sneezing woman.
  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    4 hours

Explore the relationship between allergies and our immune system

The human immune system is designed to fight infection, but sometimes this defence mechanism provokes allergic reactions.

This course explains how the immune system works and what causes immune system disorders.

You’ll explore the similarities and differences between infections and allergies, and discover the intricacies of the immune system.

You’ll also learn about the events that have led to our understanding of allergies and explore different types of allergic reactions – like food allergies and hayfever – as well as allergy symptoms and allergy treatments.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 11 seconds Throughout history, epidemics have left their mark in civilization. Black death, syphilis, smallpox, or tuberculosis. Most of them are severe, often deadly infections. The development of vaccinations and remedies against the eliciting culprits led to a growing understanding of our immune system. Today, however, according to some pundits, we are faced with an epidemic of allergies. They are very common, but rarely lethal. What are the differences between infections and allergies? What do they share? To answer these questions, this course does not only explore the immune system, but also addresses some of the events, mishaps, and discoveries that led to our understanding of allergies today. What provokes an allergy? What types of allergic reactions do we distinguish?

Skip to 1 minute and 31 seconds And what are the underlying mechanisms according to our modern understanding of the immune system? What are the typical clinical manifestations of each type? And how do we best recognised and treat these?

Skip to 1 minute and 53 seconds If you are interested in these questions, the course “Allergies - When the Immune System Backfires” is for you. We look forward to welcoming you to it.

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

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

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 anyone looking to gain insights into the immune system and allergic reactions.

Who will you learn with?

Head of Allergology 1991 - 2018
University Hospital Basel
Professor emeritus for Allergology
University of Basel, Switzerland
Adjunct Professor
Faculty of biomedical sciences
USI Lugano, Switzerland

Who developed the course?

University of Basel

The University of Basel has an international reputation of outstanding achievements in research and teaching.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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