SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Nov. 15 -- The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) today announced the roll-out of a Get Smart About Allergies national education campaign. In response to growing evidence that allergies interfere with life and can cause serious health consequences, the campaign will inform allergy sufferers about how to better manage their disease with help from a family physician or an allergy specialist.

By launching Get Smart About Allergies, the ACAAI is following through on its call-to-action issued in August, after finding that 94 percent of allergy sufferers believe their quality of life -- often including their work productivity, sleep, concentration and even their sex lives -- is affected by allergies. The program will provide allergy sufferers with tools to "get smart" about allergies, including a free consumer brochure offering advice about when to see a doctor and information on the potential risks of over-the-counter medications. The campaign also features an easy-to-navigate Website and a public service announcement. "Because allergies often last a lifetime, it's never too soon or too late for individuals to 'get smart about allergies' and see an allergy specialist or family physician for their condition," said Dr. Bobby Lanier, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "Our campaign goal is to alleviate the needless suffering that allergy patients deal with on a daily basis. With the help of a healthcare professional, this disease can be managed and other potential health complications -- such as sinus or ear infections, asthma and sleep problems -- can be minimized."

The Campaign
The Get Smart About Allergies brochure offers guidelines on managing the disease and explains when patients should see a physician or an allergy specialist. It outlines the risks of not seeking medical advice and describes the potential dangers associated with over-the-counter allergy medications. The brochure is available through the ACAAI and at select doctors' offices. Consumers can download an online version of the brochure by visiting www.smartaboutallergies.com. Visitors to the Website also can gather information on allergies and review the results of the ACAAI survey, which provides insight into the way allergy sufferers feel about their condition. Another element of this campaign is a 30-second educational Public Service Announcement (PSA) that will illustrate the impact mismanaged allergies have on a person's life. The PSA aims to motivate patients to seek professional advice for optimal care and will be featured on broadcast and in print media throughout 2003. "It is imperative that anyone who suffers -- or thinks they may be
suffering -- from allergies seek the advice of an allergy specialist for
proper diagnosis and treatment," said Dr. William Berger, president-elect of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "Optimal treatment may require avoidance strategies, immunotherapy or prescription medications, including oral non-sedating antihistamines or topical nasal sprays."

About the ACAAI Survey
A nationwide ACAAI telephone survey revealed that while many allergy
sufferers admit their condition affects their quality of life, only 50 percent of people interviewed consider the disease to be a serious medical condition.

In fact, nearly two-thirds (64 percent) did not see an allergist or other
doctor the last time their symptoms acted up. In addition, 41 percent of
allergy sufferers claimed they incorrectly assessed their condition as acommon cold, reinforcing the inaccuracy of self-diagnosis. Furthermore, survey respondents seeking relief from their symptoms tried an average of at least five different kinds of over-the-counter allergy medications. The most common reason for using more than one medication was dissatisfaction with efficacy (44 percent), underscoring the importance of seeing a physician or an allergist for optimal treatment. In August 2002, allergists met to discuss what future steps ACAAI could take to heighten awareness of the seriousness of allergies and the importance of proper short-term and long-term treatment of the disease. The consensus of this meeting provided ideas for the Get Smart About Allergies campaign and patient brochure. For more information on the campaign or to identify allergy symptoms, visit www.smartaboutallergies.com or a local allergist or physician.

About ACAAI
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), founded in 1942, is a professional medical organization comprised of qualified allergists-immunologists and related health care professionals. The ACAAI is dedicated to the clinical practice of allergy, asthma and immunology through education and research to promote the highest quality of patient care. This initiative was made possible by an educational grant from Aventis.

SOURCE American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology