Allergy and Immunology
What kind of Physician is an Allergist or Immunologist?
An Allergist or Immunologist is a physician who is specially trained to diagnose and treat illnesses arising from hypersensitivity (increased sensitivity to a stimulus) or immunodeficiency (a deficiency in the body’s ability to fight disease).1
Examples of the illnesses that this specialist will treat include asthma, anaphylaxis, rhinitis (hay fever) and eczema; allergic or negative reactions to drugs, foods, and insect stings; and problems related to autoimmune diseases, such as Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis, inherited immunodeficiency diseases, and even AIDS. Because of the systemic nature of allergic immune responses, these physicians must have knowledge and understanding of a wide variety of organ systems.
What special training is required for a doctor to become Board Certified in the Specialty of Allergy and Immunology?
It takes at least nine years of training to become a Board-Certified allergist/immunologist. After graduating from medical school, a physician will then undergo three years of residency training in internal medicine (to become an internist) or pediatrics (to become a pediatrician). Once physicians have finished training in one of these specialties, they must pass the exam of either the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP) or the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) to obtain Board Certification.
Internists or pediatricians wishing to focus on the subspecialty of allergy/immunology must then complete a two-year fellowship training program in allergy/immunology. Following their fellowship, these doctors must pass the certifying examination of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology (ABAI) in order to be Board Certified in this sub-specialty.2
What kind of Treatment does an Allergist / Immunologist provide?
Allergies aren’t something that you just “get over” without help. A trained allergist will work to accurately diagnose a patient’s condition, doing tests to determine the exact causes for an allergic reaction. Once a condition is correctly diagnosed, the allergist can recommend and supervise a treatment plan designed to prevent or manage symptoms. Treatment can include medications and/or devices, but it can also include making necessary changes in environment or diet.3
Similarly, if you have an immunity disorder, your trained specialist will work with you to correctly diagnose your illness and to help you reduce or eliminate its symptoms.
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1 World Allergy Organization, http://www.worldallergy.org/definingthespecialty/
2 American Board of Medical Specialties, http://www.certificationmatters.org/abms-member-boards/allergy-and-immunology.aspx
3 American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, http://www.acaai.org/allergist/allergies/treatment/Pages/default.aspx