Going viral for the right reasons: join the fight against misinformation

“Putting yourself out there online as a doctor is not easy. But staying silent while misinformation spreads—that felt worse.” —Dr. Amiirah AujnarainDr. Amiirah Aujnarain has built a community of 80,000 followers by blending evidence-based allergy education with a candid, human presence online. On this episode of The Allergist, she joins Dr. Mariam Hanna to examine how social media is shaping allergy conversations—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.From Benadryl challenges to dupilumab searches on TikTok, patients are turning to social media for answers long before they see a specialist. Dr. Aujnarain shares how she’s meeting them where they are, and why she sees it as both a responsibility and a creative outlet.This episode covers:How allergy misinformation spreads on social media—and what physicians can do about itWhy patients are using TikTok like Google, and how that’s changing referral patternsWhat physicians should consider before joining social media, including boundary-setting, time commitment, and emotional labourThe upside of being a visible, human face of allergy care—and the backlash that can come with itWhether you’re thinking about launching your own account or simply wondering how your patients are being influenced online, this conversation is an honest look at the power and pitfalls of digital engagement.Have an idea for the show or a comment, send us a text!Visit the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical ImmunologyFind an allergist using our helpful toolFind Dr. Hanna on X, previously Twitter, @PedsAllergyDoc or CSACI @CSACI_caThe Allergist is produced for CSACI by PodCraft Productions