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Dr. Erika D. Cherk, MD is a pediatric allergist and immunologist in San Carlos, CA specializing in pediatric allergy & immunology and general pediatrics. She graduated from University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine. Dr. Erika D. Cherk, MD is affiliated with Sutter Health.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease where the tissue and airways of the lungs become extremely sensitive to certain substances. When these substances are breathed in, the lungs become inflamed. The muscles around the airways tighten and squeeze the lungs, and passages within the lungs swell and tighten. The airways themselves produce mucus, which further clogs the tightened, swollen airways. A person having an asthma attack finds it very difficult to breathe, and a severe attack can even be fatal.
Asthma affects people of all ages, but people with asthma are most often diagnosed as children. Symptoms can include wheezing, a tight feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, and coughing. Some people have mild symptoms all the time, and some people have no symptoms at all, but everyone with asthma is susceptible to occasional severe attacks or flare-ups of symptoms when they are exposed to triggers. Triggers vary widely but can include:
Treatment for most asthma patients involves three steps. Patients learn what their asthma triggers are and avoid them. They take a daily control medication, usually an inhaled corticosteroid, to reduce inflammation in the lungs. Also, they have rescue medication with them at all times to take in case of a severe attack. These quick-acting inhaled medications relax the muscles around the airways and allow the lungs to open up for air.
There is no cure for asthma, but with treatment it should not interfere with daily life and activities.
Subcutaneous Allergen Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots)
Also known as allergy shots, subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy is a treatment in which gradually increasing doses of an allergen are injected under the skin. An allergen is a substance that can bring about an allergic reaction. Pollen, dust mites, and pet dander are the most common examples of these substances. When patients receive an allergy shot, their body produces "blocking" antibodies that decrease the immune system's sensitivity to an allergen, thus reducing their symptoms.
Before treatment is begun, patients and their doctors first have to identify different factors that trigger their symptoms. Then, skin tests are done to confirm which substances cause allergic reactions. Blood tests may be performed as well, but they are typically not necessary.
There are two phases to subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy: a build-up phase and a maintenance phase. The build-up phase lasts three to six months, during which patients receive shots with increasing amounts of the allergens once or twice a week. When the effective dose is reached, the maintenance phase begins and may continue for up to five years.
Although allergy shots are the longest-lasting and most effective allergy treatment available, they are not for everyone. If patients have heart problems, high blood pressure, or severe asthma, they should not be given allergy shots. The injections are generally safe, but they may have a little swelling at the injection site, which is normal. Rarely, severe shock-like reactions, called anaphylaxis, can also occur. Patients will likely be required by their doctor to stay for half an hour after their shot, so in the event of an anaphylactic reaction, it can be treated immediately.
Dr. Erika D. Cherk, MD graduated from University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine. She completed residency at University of California, Davis Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the Board Certification: Allergy and Immunology and has a state license in California.
Medical School: University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine
Residency: University of California, Davis Affiliated Hospitals
Board Certification: Board Certification: Allergy and Immunology
Licensed In: California
Dr. Erika D. Cherk, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Erika D. Cherk, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), WellCare, Medicare Advantage, MultiPlan, Anthem Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California, United Healthcare, Cigna, Alliance PPO, HealthSmart, Health Net: ELECT POS, Large and Small Group, Aetna: Aetna Signature Administrators (ASA), Aetna: Quality Point of Service (QPOS), Health Net: Health Net PPO, Chinese Community Health Plan: Active Choice- PPO Silver, Aetna: Aetna Student Health Program, Aetna: National Advantage Plan (NAP), Central California Alliance for Health: TotalCare (HMO D-SNP), TRICARE: Prime Remote, Aetna: Stanford University Faculty & Staff (SUFS) - Copay Plan - Open Access Aetna Select, TRICARE: Select (formerly TRICARE Standard and TRICARE Extra), Health Net: SELECT three-tier POS and SELECT two-tier POS, Large and Small Group, Health Net: Health Net HMO: Large Group (101+ employees) & Small Group (2-100 employees), TRICARE: Retired Reserve, Aetna: Aetna Choice POS II, Valley Health Plan: Classic Commercial HMO Plan only, Aetna: Traditional Choice, Aetna: HMO Deductible Plans, Aetna: Managed Choice POS, Aetna: Health Fund POS, Aetna: Open Access Elect Choice EPO, SCAN: SCAN Compass (HMO), Aetna: Stanford University Faculty & Staff (SUFS) ACA High Deductible Health Plan POS II (ACA HDHP-POS II), Aetna: Aetna Select Open Access, Sutter Health Plan: Individual and Family Plan HMO, Provider Networks of America: PPO, Aetna: Health Fund HMO (aka HMO/HRA), TRICARE: Reserve Select, Health Net: ELECT Open Access POS, Large and Small Group, Santa Clara Family Health Plan: DualConnect (HMO D-SNP), Aetna: Open Access Managed Choice POS, TRICARE: Extended Care Option (ECHO), Aetna: HMO, Health Net: PPO for Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP)/Covered California, Sutter Health Plan: Large and Small Group HMO, Health Net: Salud HMO Plus Large/Custom Group, TRICARE: Prime, Aetna: Open Choice PPO, Aetna: Aetna Select EPO, Aetna: Stanford University Faculty & Staff (SUFS) High Deductible Health Plan POS II (HDHP POS II) and TRICARE: Young Adult.
According to our sources, Dr. Erika D. Cherk, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
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These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Erika D. Cherk, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
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$320
Xembify $320 |
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Dr. Erika Cherk specializes in pediatric allergy & immunology and general pediatrics. Dr. Cherk's clinical interests include sinusitis (sinus inflammation), drug allergy, and penicillin. She accepts Anthem, Blue California, HealthSmart, and more. After attending the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine, she completed her residency training at a hospital affiliated with the University of California, Davis. Dr. Cherk is affiliated with Sutter Health. Her practice in Palo Alto, CA is open to new patients as reported by Sutter Health.
