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Welcome

Celebrating Over 80 Years Of Service!

The American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA) represents over 2,700 Board-certified otolaryngologists and health care providers. Otolaryngology, frequently referred to as Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT), uniquely combines medical and surgical expertise to care for patients with a variety of conditions affecting the ears, nose, and throat, as well as commonly related conditions. AAOA members devote part of their practice to the diagnosis and treatment of allergic disease. The AAOA actively supports its membership through education, research, and advocacy in the care of allergic patients.

"Advance the comprehensive management of allergy and inflammatory disease in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery through training, education, and advocacy."

AAOA Member Benefits

  • Up to 60% discount for CME programs and free Annual Meeting. All AAOA’s CME programs meet ABOTOHNS Continuing Certification.
  • AAOA US ENT Affinity program, where AAOA members can gain savings on antigen, allergy supplies, and any of the other 5 service lines US ENT offers. For more email info@usentpartners.com.
  • Tools and resources to comply with US General Chapter 797 and practice management tools.
  • Advocacy support.
  • And much more! Learn More

ADVOCACY UPDATES

CMS Updates Conversion Factor for Physician Services

In early March, Congress adopted legislation that updated the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) conversion factor for…

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CMS to Provide Advanced Payments to Those Affected by the Change Healthcare Cyberattack

On Saturday, March 9, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a statement…

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Policy Update: State of the Union Address, Budget Updates

President Biden’s State of the Union Address State of the Union Transcript State of the Union Video…

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Upcoming Dates

04/01/24: Fellow Exam Application Deadline
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06/01/24: Research Grant Cycle
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06/25/24: Membership Application Deadline to be eligible for AAOA Member rate for the 2024 Basic Course

08/02/24: Scientific Abstract Submission Deadline
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12/01/24: Research Grant Cycle
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EDUCATION

AAOA Advanced Course

The recorded course content is available until April 30, 2024. This year’s Advanced Course featured Laryngology and Skull Base Surgery with Nausheen Jamal, MD and Garret Choby, MD as featured faculty.

RESIDENTS

For information about Resident membership, opportunities, DosedDaily, research grants, and other resources. Learn More

IFAR

Available Now

aaoaf-ifar

IFAR Impact Factor: 2.454

IFAR Featured Content: COVID-19 - Free Access
Endonasal instrumentation and aerosolization risk in the era of COVID‐19: simulation, literature review, and proposed mitigation strategies . Read More

Changes in Managing Practices

Working together with AAOA staff, volunteer leadership and members will enable us to have a positive impact on our members’ practices.

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Live and Online CME

2024 AAOA Advanced Course in Allergy & Immunology - Hybrid
On-Demand Content Access Deadline:
April 30, 2024
Learn More and Register

2024 AAOA Basic Course in Allergy & Immunology - Hybrid
July 25-27, 2024
The Diplomat, Hollywood, Florida
Learn More and Register

2024 AAOA Annual Meeting - Hybrid
November 8-10, 2024
Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas
Learn More 

USP 797 Online Module
Learn More and Register

AAOA Educational Stacks
Next Availability - April 1, 2024

News and Updates

CEO Update, March 2024

March is such an optimistic month. (Although some may wonder this year with the extension of…

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Member Perspective on AAOA Value

by Dole Baker, MD, FAAOA Having been a long-time member of the AAOA, recent upgrades…

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College Allergy Symptoms Treatment Back to Shcool

PRACTICE RESOURCES

AAOA Practice Resource Tool Kit

The American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy (AAOA) Practice Resource Tool Kit is intended as a guide to help AAOA members integrate allergy into their otolaryngology practice and to continually improve on this integration as new information, regulations, and resources become available.

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PARTNER RESOURCE CENTER

AAOA has launched a Partner Resource Center to bring you partner resources that can assist your practice and patient care.

Visit the New Center>

PATIENT CORNER

Getting Tested for a Penicillin Allergy

Overview

Allergy to penicillin and related antibiotics is the most commonly reported drug allergy in the United States.

Approximately 85% of patients who describe themselves as “penicillin allergic” will have negative skin tests and can safely receive penicillin and related antibiotics.

However, it is critical to detect which patients are truly allergic to penicillin, as exposure to the antibiotic could cause very serious problems, including anaphylaxis.

Dr. Melissa Hertler Interviewed on Fox 6 News

Dr Melissa Hertler Penicillin Testing ImageDr. Melissa Hertler Interviewed on Fox 6 News

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death.   It typically causes a number of symptoms including an itchy rash, throat swelling, and low blood pressure.

On a mechanistic level, anaphylaxis is caused by the release of mediators from certain types of white blood cells triggered either by immunologic or non-immunologic mechanisms. It is diagnosed on the basis of the presenting symptoms and signs.

The primary treatment is injection of epinephrine, the administration of intravenous fluids, and positioning the person flat, with other measures being complementary.

Testing for Penicillin Allergy

A doctor will use the PRE-PEN test, which is the only FDA approved skin test for the diagnosis of penicillin allergy.  Penicillin skin testing involves applying skin prick and intradermal tests with PRE- PEN, Penicillin G, and both a positive and negative control.

A doctor will examine the test sites for a reaction and if the testing is negative we will perform an oral challenge.  The entire process takes about an hour.

Potential benefits of testing

For patients that are concerned that they may be sensitive or allergic to penicillin, there are many benefits of testing with PRE-PEN.

If the patient is shown to test negative for penicillin allergy, this will eliminate any concern about using penicillin, which is an important, effective and well tolerated treatment for many infections.

Another benefit is decreased out of pocket costs for antibiotics, since many alternatives to penicillin are much more costly.

Finally, testing will help decrease the overuse of broad spectrum antibiotics which leads to increased drug- resistant bacteria.

Who should be tested for penicillin allergy?

Any patient with history of a reaction to a penicillin antibiotic or who is currently denied access to certain antibiotics out of concern for such reactions should be tested.

Patients with known ANAPHYLACTIC reaction to penicillin, in the past 5 years, should NOT be tested.

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