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9 October 2003
Virus may protect against asthma
Exposure to the hepatitis A virus (HAV) may protect some people from
developing asthma, according to a new study. Experts at the National
Asthma Campaign believe the findings provide further evidence to support
the suspected link between the rise in asthma and the increase in hygiene.
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Researchers at the University of Stanford in California found that
people with a certain variant of the gene that affects how HAV enters the
body, and who had been exposed to the virus, were protected from asthma
and allergic disease.
HAV is associated with poor hygiene and large families. Until about
1970, almost all people in Western countries carried antibodies against
the virus, indicating that they had been exposed to it and had developed
resistance. However, our increasingly clean environment, better healthcare
and reduced family sizes mean that now only about one-quarter of us have
been in contact with HAV and have developed antibodies as a result. Over
the same period, the incidence of asthma and allergic disease has doubled.
Currently 5.1 million people in the UK have asthma, including 1 in 8
children, among whom it is now the most prevalent long-term condition.
Some scientists believe that the 'hygiene hypothesis' can be held
responsible. This is the idea that shielding young children from possible
infections while very young increases the risk of them developing asthma
and allergies later in childhood.
Professor Martyn Partridge, the Campaign's chief medical adviser
welcomed the research: 'This latest study may help us understand why
infections, such as hepatitis A, may have a protective effect against the
development of allergies and asthma.
'The goal would be to find a suitable vaccine to provide the beneficial
effects of such early life infections,' he added. 'However, even if we had
such a "controlled infection" or vaccine we don't know at what time of
life it should be given for maximum effect.'
It is not clear from this study whether HAV exposure has to happen in
childhood to have a protective effect against asthma, or whether being
exposed to the virus as an adult could reduce the severity of symptoms.
http://www.asthma.org.uk/news/news98.php#top
Mold a growing problem in
schools
Lack of ventilation may lead to allergies,
respiratory problems
MSNBC News (ASSOCIATED PRESS )
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 25 — Nationwide, school districts are finding
allergy-inducing mold in walls, on carpets and near ventilation systems.
While one study blames aging buildings and mold-promoting construction
techniques, other findings suggest the problem is due to a lack of proper
ventilation in newer schools.
WHATEVER THE cause of mold in schools, “it’s a growing problem, and it’s
one of the more high-priority issues that schools are dealing with,” said
Ericka Plater, indoor air quality manager for the American Association of
School Administrators.
To protest the problem, nearly 1,000 students at East High School in
Memphis skipped homeroom one day. Across the state, another 1,000 students
spent a month at Bristol Motor Speedway — not watching NASCAR races, but
studying in the skyboxes while mold was removed at Sullivan East High
School.
Mold occurs naturally and can grow almost anywhere that’s warm and damp.
Experts have identified more than 100,000 species of mold; at least 1,000
are common in the United States. While the most common molds generally
aren’t hazardous, some types are blamed for headaches, fatigue and
respiratory problems.
Across the country, mold has forced some administrators to shut down
schools and make millions of dollars in repairs. Others face lawsuits from
students and staff who claim moldy buildings caused long-term health
problems.
Sullivan County Schools director John O’Dell said the Sullivan East High
School was shut down for about six weeks and $600,000 worth of repairs
after children became ill and several classrooms tested positive for black
mold, or Stachybotrys chartarum, which can cause breathing problems.
In Austin, Texas, voters approved a $49.3 million bond issue in February
to pay for mold removal and preventive maintenance in 91 schools. In Fort
Myers, Fla., several teachers sued county school officials last week,
accusing them of failing to fix mold problems.
In Tennessee, just as the Sullivan East High students returned to their
school, teenagers at Heritage High School about two hours away in
Maryville got an unexpected four-week vacation when mold was found there.
The repair estimate: $1 million.
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How much
mold can make me sick?
It
depends. For some people, a relatively small number of mold spores can
cause health problems. For other people, it may take many more. The basic
rule is, if you can see or smell it, take steps to eliminate the
excess moisture, and to cleanup and remove the mold.
Who is at greater risk when
exposed to mold?
Exposure to mold is not healthy for anyone inside buildings. It is
important to quickly identify and correct any moisture sources before
health problems develop. The following individuals appear to be at
higher risk for adverse
health effects of molds:
-
Infants and
children
-
elderly
-
immune
compromised patients (people with HIV infection,
cancer chemotherapy,
liver disease, etc.)
-
pregnant women
-
individuals with
existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity, and asthma.
People with these special concerns should consult
a physician if they are having health problems.
What symptoms are common?
Allergic reactions may be the most common health problem of mold
exposure. Typical symptoms reported (alone or in
combination) include:
respiratory
problems, such as wheezing, and difficulty in breathing
nasal and sinus
congestion
-
eyes-burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision, light sensitivity
-
dry, hacking cough
-
sore throat
-
nose and throat irritation
-
shortness of breath
-
skin irritation
-
central nervous system problems (constant headaches,
memory problems,
and mood changes)
-
aches and pains
-
possible fever
For further question on
mold, mold inspection, mold remediation, mold removal, mold
testing and how to
inspect and test any hidden mold growth, please email mold
expert Phillip Fry:
moldconsultant@yahoo.com.
Chronic Allergy Report for the
Relief and Cure of Seasonal,
Severe, and Chronic Allergies
The
most frequent health symptoms
that you or a family
member and friends may be suffering from mold
contamination are:
-
chronic fatigue
-
headaches
-
memory loss or
increase of difficulty in remembering things or loss
of concentration, or feeling lost or "disconnected"
from what's happening around you
-
difficulties in logical thinking and learning
-
clear,
thin, watery mucus drips from your nose
-
thick,
green slime coming out of nose [from sinus cavities]
-
runny
nose [rhinitis]
-
frequent bloody nose
-
coughing and resulting sore lungs/chest
-
difficulty in breathing
-
hives
-
itching of the nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin, or any area
-
redness of the sclera (white of your eyes)
-
redness of the sclera (white of your eyes)
-
skin
rashes
-
skin
redness
-
sneezing
-
sneezing fits (more than three sneezes in a row, happens
repeatedly)
|
Chronic Allergy Report for the
Relief and Cure of Seasonal,
Severe, and Chronic Allergies
The
most frequent health symptoms
that you or a family
member and friends may be suffering from mold
contamination are:
-
chronic fatigue
-
headaches
-
memory loss or
increase of difficulty in remembering things or loss
of concentration, or feeling lost or "disconnected"
from what's happening around you
-
difficulties in logical thinking and learning
-
clear,
thin, watery mucus drips from your nose
-
thick,
green slime coming out of nose [from sinus cavities]
-
runny
nose [rhinitis]
-
frequent bloody nose
-
coughing and resulting sore lungs/chest
-
difficulty in breathing
-
hives
-
itching of the nose, mouth, eyes, throat, skin, or any area
-
redness of the sclera (white of your eyes)
-
redness of the sclera (white of your eyes)
-
skin
rashes
-
skin
redness
-
sneezing
-
sneezing fits (more than three sneezes in a row, happens
repeatedly)
To remove
mold and mildew from your home,
follow the suggestions
in the new book DIY Mold Book. For more information, please visit:
Mold
Book
Cure mold problem and cure mold damage with Mold Inspector
Laboratory International, Ltd.
To visit the best internet mold website, please visit:
Mold Inspector.
To find a certified mold inspector
in your area, please visit:
Certified Mold Inspector.
For more allergy
info, allergy symptom info,
and mold allergy info please visit: Allergy.
Is it a cold or
allergies?
Allergies---
a
Eyes,
ears, nose and/or throat (especially the palate or roof of the mouth) are itchy.
a
Symptoms may last for weeks or months, or may be chronic, depending upon
exposure to offending
allergen(s)
Colds---
a Nasal discharge is usually clear
initially, but may become thick and yellow after several days.
a Symptoms typically end within 3 to
10 days.
Top Ten Triggers for Seasonal
Allergies
Precautions to Take to Reduce the Impact of the "Top Ten Triggers
for Seasonal Allergies," courtesy of the American the American Academy of
Allergy, Asthma and Immunology [U.S.A. Today, "All About Allergies
and Asthma," March 16, 2001]
Up to 20% of the U.S.
population suffers from allergic diseases, including 35 million who suffer
from seasonal allergies. Allergists recommended avoidance as the first
line of defense against seasonal allergies. Here are the ten ways
you can reduce your seasonal allergy
symptoms:
1. Stay indoors when pollen counts are high and on windy days when pollen
and dust are blown about.
2. Use air conditioning and a dehumidifier to clean, cool and dry the air.
3. Shower or bathe and change clothes following outdoor activity to remove
pollen and fungal spores from your hair skin and clothing.
4. Don’t hang clothes to dry outside; instead, dry them in a vented dryer.
5. Have a friend or a family member do yard work.
6. Keep windows closed at night to prevent pollen and fungal spores from
drifting into your home. Instead, if needed, use air conditioning which
cleans, cools and dries the air.
7.Keep your house clean to pollens.
8. Keep your car windows closed when traveling.
9. Try to stay indoors when the pollen count or
humidity is reported to be high, and on windy days when dust and pollen
are blown about.
10. Take your vacation to a more pollen-free area, such as the beach or
sea.
Mold is found
everywhere, indoors and outdoors. It is common to find mold spores in
the air of homes and growing on damp surfaces. Much of the mold found
indoors comes from outdoor sources. Therefore, everyone is exposed to
some mold on a daily basis without evident harm. Mold spores primarily
cause health problems when they enter the air and are inhaled in large
to mold through skin contact and eating.
How much
mold can make me sick?
It
depends. For some people, a relatively small number of mold spores can
cause health problems. For other people, it may take many more. The basic
rule is, if you can see or smell it, take steps to eliminate the
excess moisture, and to cleanup and remove the mold.
Who is at greater risk when
exposed to mold?
Exposure to mold is not healthy for anyone inside buildings. It is
important to quickly identify and correct any moisture sources before
health problems develop. The following individuals appear to be at
higher risk for adverse
health effects of molds:
-
Infants and
children
-
elderly
-
immune
compromised patients (people with HIV infection,
cancer chemotherapy,
liver disease, etc.)
-
pregnant women
-
individuals with
existing respiratory conditions, such as allergies, multiple chemical sensitivity, and asthma.
People with these special concerns should consult
a physician if
they are having health problems.
What symptoms are common?
Allergic reactions may be the most common health problem of mold
exposure. Typical symptoms reported (alone or in
combination) include:
respiratory
problems, such as wheezing, and difficulty in breathing
nasal and sinus
congestion
-
eyes-burning, watery, reddened, blurry vision, light sensitivity
-
dry, hacking cough
-
sore throat
-
nose and throat irritation
-
shortness of breath
-
skin irritation
-
central nervous system problems (constant headaches,
memory problems,
and mood changes)
-
aches and pains
-
possible fever
For further question on
mold, mold inspection, mold remediation, mold removal, mold
testing and how to
inspect and test any hidden mold growth, please email mold
expert Phillip Fry:
moldconsultant@yahoo.com.
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