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The prevalence of allergic disease and asthma have increased over the past two decades, particularly in developed countries. This can vary with age, disease and geographic location. Additionally, with more sophisticated diagnostic and treatment techniques, more and more patients with immune deficiencies are being identified and living longer than ever before. Allergy and immunology involves the management of disorders related to hypersensitivity or altered reactivity caused by release of immunologic mediators or by activation of inflammatory mechanisms, as well as disorders of immune deficiency. Understanding the pathophysiology for allergic inflammation and immune dysfunction is crucial to best assess patients and make recommendations regarding testing and treatment. This rotation will expose students to a variety of patients with diseases involving altered immunity or hypersensitivity. For these diseases, the student will learn how to initiate diagnostic evaluation and therapy, and learn to recognize other diseases in which altered immunity plays an important role.
The student will see new and established patients in the outpatient clinic with the allergist. On occasion, an inpatient consultation may be required?this will be discussed as the situation arises. During this rotation, the student will participate in all Department of Pediatrics didactic activities including Morning Report, resident block conferences, and Grand Rounds. The student will have opportunity to interview patients, perform physical examinations and discuss management of allergic and immunologic disorders such as asthma, rhinitis, food allergies, eczema, recurrent sinopulmonary infections, primary immune deficiencies, and more. The student will observe spirometry or other pulmonary function testing and allergy skin prick testing.