IgG4ward! Fireside Chat: Aiming for a Glide Path in Treatment

How should vaccines be timed around B-cell-depleting treatment? What precautions should people with IgG4-RD consider when traveling, spending time with pets, eating certain foods, or going about everyday life?

Treatment for IgG4-related disease can raise many questions beyond treatment itself. In this previously recorded IgG4ward! Fireside Chat, Dr. Stone welcomes back infectious disease specialist Dr. Camille N. Kotton for a practical conversation about reducing infection risks without losing sight of an important message: life is meant to be lived.

Dr. Kotton also addresses reports of antigen-specific IgG4 responses following repeated vaccination. She explains why this type of immune response should not be confused with IgG4-related disease and is not evidence that vaccines cause or worsen IgG4-RD.

Viewing guide:

Welcome and Foundation updates

• Upcoming IgG4ward! events and programs

• Regional JAMs

• IgG4ward! Academy

• IgG4-RD healthcare appointment guide

Vaccines and IgG4-related disease

• Antigen-specific IgG4 responses following repeated vaccination

• Why these responses should not be confused with IgG4-related disease

• Timing vaccines around B-cell-depleting treatment

• Vaccination when B-cell counts remain low

Vaccines discussed

• COVID-19

• Influenza

• Shingles

• Pneumococcal disease

• RSV

• Meningococcal disease

• Measles exposure

Reducing infection risks in everyday life  

• Mosquito- and tick-borne infections

• Pets and infection risk

• Food safety while immunocompromised

• Dental care and medical injections

• Preventing recurrent urinary tract infections

Travel and infection prevention

• Travel and first-aid planning

• Masking in airports, airplanes, and crowded spaces

• Traveling after B-cell-depleting treatment

• COVID-19 and influenza prevention

Additional treatment considerations  

• GLP-1 medications and IgG4-RD

• Whether B-cell counts should guide vaccine timing 

• Treating sepsis when the source of infection is unknown

Live Q&A

Dr. Stone and Dr. Kotton respond to attendee questions about vaccination, travel, infection prevention, treatment monitoring, tick-related risks, blood donation, and other practical concerns.

Medical disclaimer: This webinar is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider with questions about your individual medical care.