Aventis has announced the national launch of Allergy.com (www.allergy.com), the latest in the company's growing network of disease-specific websites. Designed to be a comprehensive and user-friendly website for all allergy sufferers, Allergy.com explains the causes, symptoms and consequences of allergies, as well as recommended ways to cope with the disorder.

The launch of the site comes at a critical time – the height of cold and flu season – since many Americans confuse their allergy symptoms with those of the common cold, and suffer for weeks without getting a proper diagnosis from a qualified medical professional.

A recent survey of allergy sufferers found that 41 per cent had incorrectly assessed their condition as a common cold when symptoms first appeared. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), the symptoms of colds and allergies often mimic each other and can lead patients to misdiagnosis their condition.

“According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, as many as 50 million people in the United States suffer from various types of allergies,” said William E. Berger, M.D., M.B.A., president of ACAAI. “Many of these people suffer with symptoms for years, thinking that they are run down or fighting a cold. In addition to needless suffering, undiagnosed allergies may be masking more serious respiratory conditions, such as asthma. Allergy.com is a great resource for patients to learn about allergies and to understand why it's important to see an allergy specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.”

The tools on Allergy.com also can help patients open up a dialogue with their physician about their symptoms, so that working together, physician and patient can arrive at an accurate diagnosis and develop a management plan. For example, Allergy.com presents a checklist of the signs and symptoms of cold, flu and allergies to help patients understand and describe the differences. In addition, the site features a “virtual bedroom” and a “virtual waiting room” – unique, interactive programs to help users identify and reduce exposure to potential household allergens.

In addition to the virtual rooms and checklists, Allergy.com contains other resources for allergy sufferers, including: Information on how to find an allergist in any area in the United States; Real-life stories from people who are living well with allergies; Links to organizations that provide support and information for people with allergies; Community features such as discussion boards and chat rooms where sufferers can exchange information with other people with allergies; Newsletters that will help sufferers stay on top of the latest allergy news and information.