Mold and dust believed to cause 'Katrina Cough'

[Guest guest]

November 4, 2005

Mold and dust believed to cause 'Katrina Cough'

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20051104/NEWS0110/511040371/1260

By Los Angeles Times

NEW ORLEANS — A large number of people along the Louisiana and

Mississippi coasts are developing a condition dubbed " Katrina

cough, " believed to be linked to mold and dust circulating in the

aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Health officials are trying to determine how widespread the problem

is, but suggest that it is popping up among people who have returned

to storm-ravaged areas, particularly New Orleans.

Dr. Dennis Casey, an ear, nose and throat doctor in New Orleans,

called the condition " very prevalent. " And Dr. Jordan,

director of medical affairs at Touro Infirmary and Memorial Medical

Center in downtown New Orleans, said the hospital has seen at least

a 25 percentincrease in sinus headaches, congestion, runny noses and

sore throats since Katrina.

In most cases, Casey said, patients appear to be " allergic to the

filth they are exposed to. " Those allergies make the patients more

susceptible to respiratory illness, including bacterial bronchitis

and sinusitis.

" It started out as a sore throat and scratchy eyes. That turned into

a cold, and that turned into a cough again, and that's where it

stayed, " said French Quarter resident Christophe Hinton, 38.

Among healthy people, the condition is not considered serious and

can be treated with antihistamines, nasal sprays or, in the case of

bacterial infections, antibiotics.

But the condition could be serious for people whose health is

compromised — transplant patients, people undergoing chemotherapy or

people who suffer from emphysema, asthma, bronchitis or other

ailments.

" It could be life-threatening to those people, " said Dr.

DeBlieux, associate medical director of the Spirit of Charity, a

MASH-style clinic that has been set up in downtown New Orleans.

[Guest guest]

I was healthy before I got sick at my school and my health was not

compromised prior to that!!!!! When are they going to understand?!!!

Among healthy people, the condition is not considered serious and

can be treated with antihistamines, nasal sprays or, in the case of

bacterial infections, antibiotics.

But the condition could be serious for people whose health is

compromised transplant patients, people undergoing chemotherapy or

people who suffer from emphysema, asthma, bronchitis or other

ailments.