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Patients & Consumers Online Tools Find an Allergist / Immunologist Pollen Counts Diseases 101 Drug Guide Featured Resources » AAAAI Tips Brochures Topic of the Month New Research Information Request Form Donate Now En Español Just for Kids Seniors Contact Us Search by Condition (A-Z) Request a Speaker Smoke Free Homes Referral Guidelines Other Resources En Español Just for Kids Seniors		Patient/Public Education: Fast Facts What is an Allergy/Asthma Specialist? Physicians who specialize in allergy and immunology, called allergists/clinical immunologists, are trained in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of problems involving the immune system. These problems include reactions to usually harmless substances such as food, drugs, chemicals, insect stings and pollens, and allergic conditions such as hay fever, asthma, hives, dermatitis and eczema. Allergists/immunologists are also trained to handle: both inherited and acquired immunodeficiency diseases, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) as well as congenital and acquired agammaglobulinemia and IgA deficiency; various autoimmune diseases, such as arthritis, lupus erythematosus and vasculitis; and organ transplant rejection and cancer of the lymph glands. When treating a patient, an allergist/immunologist examines the patient's background and performs tests to identify the cause of the allergic or immunologic problem. The allergist/ immunologist may then advise the patient to avoid certain substances, prescribe medications for allergy or asthma, or administer immunizing injections, which increase the patient's tolerance to certain substances and reduce allergic symptoms. Training for allergists/immunologists includes medical school, followed by three years of postgraduate training in pediatrics or internal medicine, and two additional years in allergy and immunology. Thus, allergists/immunologists specialize as pediatricians or internists, and are also trained in allergy/clinical immunology. For information on allergies and asthma or referral to an allergy/asthma specialist in your area, please visit our online Physician Referral System. Source: Choosing a Medical Specialty. Council of Medical Specialty Societies (CMSS), Lake Forest, IL. 1990:1. <back>
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