[Allergy & Asthma Corner]

Outdoor allergy season appears to be well underway based on the calls for new appointments and follow-up visit over the last few weeks. Tree season had a late start because of the relatively cold and rainy spring weather. Now, tree pollen, grass pollen and mold spores are collectively infiltrating the air especially on warm, humid and windy days.

People with seasonal allergy problems are made to feel like they are prisoners of the indoor environment. This can be very depressing when warm sunny weather makes the outdoors seem so inviting.

 

Here are some tips that may help you survive the outdoor allergy season:

 

•1) Prescribed antihistamines should be taken regularly through the allergy season.

 

•2) Prescribed nasal steroids should be carefully sprayed in the nose after the shower, bath or nasal saline rinse. The nasal spray should be aimed up the nose, with the head tilted down.

 

•3) Air-conditioning should be used instead of opening the windows (in the home and car)

 

•4) Prescribed allergy eye drops should be used an hour or more before going outside.

 

•5) Follow-up with your allergist if you continue to have allergy problems. There are some new nasal sprays available for allergy treatment.

 

Allergy Shots may be the way to go if several different allergy medications have failed to work.

Is there such thing as a non-allergic dog?

Answer: No.

Some breeds appear to be less allergenic to people but this more related to the sensitivity level of the individual versus the potency of the dog allergen.

Is a dog which is touted to have human hair non-allergic?

Answer: No.

Even if the dog has genetically human hair, its skin, oil glands, saliva and urine will still contain dog related allergen

Currently there are no breeds of dog that are non-allergic or proven to be hypo-allergenic.

If you are allergic to environmental triggers (such as pollens, mold spores, dust mites etc.) you are at risk to develop an allergy to any warm-blooded furred pet if it is brought into your home.

The best way to avoid becoming allergic to house pets is to keep them out of your house, and especially out of your bedroom and family room.

What about allergy shots to dog?

Answer: Allergy shot to dog is available but is not as effective as shots to pollens and dust mite. We discourage getting dog allergy shots in order to bring a dog into the home.

To dog lovers, I'm sorry about all the bad news. I love dogs too. But the desire I have for the well being of my allergic patients is more important.

The Swine Flu is still spreading but no need to panic. This flu does not appear to be as virulent (deadly) as the swine flu virus of 1918 which killed about 50 million people worldwide, or the swine flu of 1957 which resulted in 70,000 deaths in the U.S.

I’m not saying this virus is a wimp, because there have been several deaths in Mexico. Scientists aren’t certain why the swine flu virus in Mexico is so much more lethal than its counterpart in America.

The CDC along with state and local health departments have been outstanding in providing day to day updates about the swine flu. The CDC has published guidelines for doctors and citizens to follow.

Here are some questions that parents and patients in my office are asking:

Will the flu shot I had last fall protect me from getting the swine flu?

Answer: No. The flu vaccine given in the fall, and for the last several years protected against human flu virus, based on the previous year’s research. The swine flu represents a completely different kind of virus which is foreign to our immune system (which is why it is highly contagious and potentially more lethal than other flu viruses).

Can the swine flu virus spread by contact from tables, chairs or phones?

Answer: Yes. Flu viruses may survive in moist droplets (for example from a sneeze or cough) for several minutes after landing on the surface of a table, keyboard, door knob or many other items. This is why frequent hand washing and cleaning is important

If someone has swine flu, when are they no longer contagious?

Answer: A person may pass on the infection to others from the day before the onset of flu symptoms to seven days after the onset.

Why isn’t there a vaccine available for the swine flu?

Answer: The current swine flu represents a completely new virus which must be studied before a vaccine can be prepared. The last major epidemic in the U.S. was in 1976 and involved 200 soldiers in Fort Dix, New Jersey. President Ford urged congress to approve a greater than 100 million dollar nationwide vaccine program for the swine flu. A vaccine was made available within weeks and the nationwide campaign for Americans to be vaccinated was very successful. Within a span of ten weeks over 40 million people across the nation were vaccinated. But the swine flu of 1976 never went beyond Fort Dix, New Jersey and one soldier of the 200 infected died. The vaccination program was halted after several cases of a rare neurological disorder, Guillain Barre Syndrome, appeared to be linked to this vaccine.

The CDC and government officials want to carefully consider the risk/benefit before proceeding with a vaccination program. But research teams are attempting to make a vaccine if needed.

Are medications available to treat the swine flu?

Answer: Yes. Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Relenza (Zanamivir) are prescription drugs approved for prevention and treatment of the current swine flu. Tamiflu is the preferred drug for people with asthma because the inhalant, Relenza may be associated with respiratory complications.

Who should get antiviral treatment for the swine flu?

Answer: Currently, people with confirmed, probable or suspected swine flu infection. Swine flu can be confirmed by special tests which identify specific proteins or DNA associated with the virus. Treatment is recommended for people who have been exposed to others who have confirmed swine flu or have been in high risk communities within the previous seven days. People with suspected flu symptoms who are at higher risk for complications (same as for the seasonal flu virus) are considered candidates for treatment.

 

What Can I do?

-Learn more about the swine flu and CDC recommendations by clicking here: (CDC recommendations)

-Check the CDC’s web site for updates on the swine flu

-Discuss any concerns you have regarding your health with your doctor