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Current Category: Asthma


Question: My 9 year old son has moderate to severe asthma. He was misdiagnosed at 6mos of age for RSV and the result was rsv scarring and asthmatic scarring on the lungs. We discovered that he had asthma when he was 5 and was hospitalized.  His Pulmonologist sent him to an allergist as he became sick frequently with asthmatic bronchitis. In addition he is very susceptible. to infection from others whom are sick. He occasionally experiences eczema to his face and eye lids and during hot, humid days and coast trips have fallen I'll to pneumonia. His allergy tests results find him to be very allergic to two different types of airborne molds and brome.grass and mildly allergic to Kentucky Blue Grass. Living in San Antonio, Tx we have very humid and hot weather. On these hot days I notice he will pass out quickly;although he just says he is sleepy. This occurs rapidly and if in the car he will slump over. The last two times we went to the coast he came back with pneumonia despite taking Dymista and Zyrtec as well as Rulers. Recently he was permitted to back down to Advair. How can I help my son when mold is commonly high here and humid air effects him so adversly? We love the Keys and Tx coast trips but his Dr has restricted travels out of Texas and has said, "you aren't taking him to the coast are you". This tells me no more coast trips. How can I treat/help him deal with the heat and humidity?
Thank you
Kim Judd

Answer: You present a complex problem for which there are no easy answers. Much more information is needed from what I see here. Does your son comply with his asthma medications? Are his pulmonary function tests normal when stable? Is his asthma well controlled while in the San Antonio area? Have you increased medications before taking trips to the coast? Are you staying in "moldy or musty" smelling quarters at the beach? Have the pneumonias been documented by chest X-rays? Does his nasal symptoms remain under good control? Is he on high-dose allergy shots to his allergens? Heat and humidity may have an adverse role in some asthmatics. This cannot be controlled other than an inside environment. I am confused by "passing out" which implies loosing consciousness. Is that the case or is he simply tired and sleepy as he claims? Does his asthma flare associated with high humidity? The goal of every physician is to control asthma such that the patient can lead a normal life rather than restricting lifestyle. You need to approach your provider with questions posed here. Plans need to be formulated and altered, if ineffective, until an effective approach is realized.
Question: I have had a respiraitory/breathing problems for several months.  They have continued to get worse with increased time spent in my office.  I am concern that a water/flood which occured several months ago in the office above my office may have caused molds to grow in carpet, walls and ceiling tiles in my office.  How can I determine if there is a problem?  Is there any test to determine if my symptoms are caused by the molds.  I have been on Z pack, oral steriods and steriod inhaler, but continue to cough frequently while in the office.

Answer: Respiratory tract signs and symptoms may be caused or worsened by inside microbial contaminations. These are difficult and complex evaluations when trying to make this determination. This evaluation will best be done by an experienced allergist/immunologist with assistance from a pulmonary specialist. You should consult with your primary care provider for guidance.
   



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