“They sure can, according to a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive for Schering-Plough/Merck Pharmaceuticals, a corporate joint venture that makes allergy medications. The survey involved more than 1,000 consumers (people with and without allergies), 1,000 allergy sufferers, and 300 physicians. An allergic reaction involves the release of inflammatory substances that cause sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose and eyes, and other symptoms. An estimated 50 million Americans have indoor and outdoor allergies, some of which get worse in the spring. The consumer portion of the survey revealed that, while most people feel sorry for allergy sufferers, more than one-third think allergy sufferers overstate their symptoms or use allergies as an excuse to get out of something.” (05/12/08)