Question

I've been sick now for 7 weeks. And I've just found that my humidifier contains mold! I've had trouble breathing, as if I have to take deep breaths all the time. My doctor has put me on Claritin and an Azmacort inhaler 3 times a day. What do you think is the problem?

Answer

There are two specific molds that are commonly found in air conditioners and humidifiers - Micropolyspora faeni and Thermoactinomyces vulgaris. As far as we know they are not harmful to humans, in the sense that they will not cause disease or illness in a healthy human being. There are, however, a few exceptions to this - patients that have been lowered immunity, such as those on steroids, those taking medications after an organ transplant, patients with AIDS, or those with another disease that lowers resistance to infection. These molds can make some animals sick, but for humans they are usually harmless.

Molds have been reported to cause allergic reponses in some people - allergic rhinitis (like hay-fever), asthma, and, very rarely, an allergic inflammation of the lungs (hypersensitivity pneumonitis). If your doctor gave you Claritin and Azmacort, two medications used for allergic reactions and chronic allergies, it may be he or she heard some wheezes or lung disturbances in your chest. If so, as you are not feeling any better, you should let your doctor know that the medication is not helping you.

Links

• Mold Allergies