As a rheumatologist, you will be working in the field of internal medicine or pediatrics. You will help to heal diseases that are found in bones, joints and muscles. Some professionals in rheumatology practice medicine and others conduct health research.
As an immunologist, you will be working in pediatrics and internal medicine as well, but will have a focus on disorders of the immune system. Some professionals in immunology are referred to as allergists.
Both fields require you to complete a residency that can take about three years to finish. This has to be done before you're able to join a fellowship program for your area of training. The fellowship lasts three years for rheumatologists and two years for immunologists.
As mentioned above, each profession caters to different illnesses. In rheumatology, professionals deal with musculoskeletal pain disorders, arthritis, autoimmune diseases and osteoporosis. Then those in immunology deal with pneumonia, eczema, allergic reactions, sinusitis, asthma, allergic reactions and a variety of other immune disorders.
The patients that rheumatologists work with consist of those that have severe joint, bone or muscle pain that is consistent. Immunologists work with patients that have allergy and respiratory problems.
