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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

AAOA Member Advocacy Update: Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) 2018

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).…

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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
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USP 797 Online Module
Learn More and Register

AAOA Educational Stacks
Next Availability - April 1, 2024

News and Updates

Congress Sends Sesame Labeling Bill To President

By Beth Wang / April 15, 2021 at 11:57 AM The House on Wednesday (April 14) passed…

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A Pivotal New Publication on the Role of Biologics

A team led by AAOA Education Coordinator Cecelia Damask, DO, FAAOA, and AAOA President (2018-2019)…

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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

Runny nose, sneezing and cough – Is it a cold or allergies?

By Christine DeMason, MD

While patients with a cold and allergies generally have the same symptoms (runny nose, nasal drainage, congestion and cough), they are different diseases. 

Cold

A cold is caused by a virus that affects the upper respiratory tract (primarily the nose). This leads to symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, and sneezing. Patients with a cold are more likely to have general aches/pain and low-grade fever than patients with allergies.  Nasal drainage is usually thick and yellow/green. 

There are many different viruses that cause a common cold with the most common being rhinovirus. Symptoms usually last for 1-2 weeks. A cold is acquired when coming into contact with the virus from another person – either by direct physical contact from a contaminated surface or from respiratory droplets from a sneeze or cough. Treatment includes pain relievers such as Tylenol, nasal decongestants, expectorants (loosens mucus) and cough suppressants. 

Allergies 

On the other hand, allergies are caused by an abnormal immune response in the body to an environmental substance. The substance can be inhaled, ingested or come into contact with the skin. The body is too hypersensitive to these substances which include such substances as pollen, dust, medications, bee sting and peanuts. 

The immune system treats these substances as if they are harmful to the body (as it does with a virus) and attacks it. The body releases histamine which leads to inflammation and swelling. This is why the symptoms of allergies and a cold are similar. These include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and drainage.  Watery, itchy eyes is more common in allergies than with a cold. Patients with allergies can have a cough and sore throat but these are more severe with a cold. Nasal drainage is usually clear and thin. Depending on the environmental substance, these symptoms can last for weeks, months or even all year round. 

This is all mediated by a specific antibody in the body called IgE. Allergy treatment focuses on reducing this hypersensitizes by blocking certain parts of this process such as antihistamines block histamine and allergy shots decrease IgE levels.

ColdAllergies
CauseVirusEnvironmental substance
Duration1-2 weeksVaries- Weeks, months, years
Nasal drainageThick yellow/green mucusThin clear mucus
CoughOftenSometimes
Sore throatOftenSometimes
SneezingOftenOften
Itching eyesRareOften
FeverSometimesRare
General aches/painsOftenRare
HoarsenessOftenSometimes
FatigueOftenOften
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