How Is Aspergillosis Diagnosed
Your doctor will probably ask you about your medical history, including the type and duration of your symptoms and whether you have a cough or a fever. It may be difficult to diagnose the condition, because symptoms may resemble those of other diseases.
Some of the diagnostic tests that may be required include:
- Skin and blood tests: These tests are useful to diagnose ABPA, especially in cases where the patient has asthma, bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis. The doctor or technician injects a small quantity of aspergillus antigen into the skin, usually the lower arm. A small red bump at or near the site will show that you have an allergic reaction. In addition, a sample of your blood might be analyzed to see if certain antibodies are present that indicate an allergic reaction.
- Imaging tests: A chest X-ray or computerized tomography scan may be performed to examine the lungs.
- Sputum culture: A sample of sputum might be stained and tested to see if aspergillus fungus is present.
- Biopsy: A small sample of tissue is removed from the lungs or sinuses to diagnose invasive aspergillosis.
When To Seek Medical Help If You Breathed In Mold
If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, especially if they persist and dont respond to typical medications, it is best to visit your doctor.
Although mold exposure and the symptoms of mold exposure are not typically emergencies, they can lead to serious health problems if left untreated.
There are some cases where symptoms warrant an emergency.
If you experience the following, immediately go to the nearest emergency room:
- Significant difficulty breathing
How Dirty Carpets Affect Your Health
In 1980, the World Health Organization coined the term Sick Building Syndrome to refer to the unhealthy environmental factors in the workplace that undoubtedly affect the health of employees.
According to Dr. Berry Michael, Deputy Director of the Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, soiled and filthy carpets are one of the main perpetrators of SBS, contributing to indoor air pollution and threatening the health of workers.
Rugs and carpets trap allergens and are home to microorganisms that can release harmful fumes into the air you breathe. They accumulate bacteria colonies, chemical irritants, and microorganisms like mold that can cause both short-term and long-term health effects.
Once these pathogens are inhaled, they can lead to the development of the following health issues:
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I Heard About Toxic Molds And Black Molds That Grow In Homes And Other Buildings Should I Be Concerned About A Serious Health Risk To Me And My Family
There is always a little mold everywhere in the air and on many surfaces.
Certain molds are toxigenic, meaning they can produce toxins . Hazards presented by molds that may produce mycotoxins should be considered the same as other common molds which can grow in your house. Not all fungi produce mycotoxins and even those that do will not do so under all surface or environmental conditions.
Mold growth, which often looks like spots, can be many different colors, and can smell musty. Color is not an indication of how dangerous a mold may be. Any mold should be removed and the moisture source that helped it grow should be removed.
There are very few reports that toxigenic molds found inside homes can cause unique or rare health conditions such as pulmonary hemorrhage or memory loss. These case reports are rare, and a causal link between the presence of the toxigenic mold and these conditions has not been proven.
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Mold Reactions: Whos At Risk
For people sensitive to mold, inhaling or touching mold spores can cause allergic reactions, including sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. People with serious mold allergies may have more severe reactions, including shortness of breath. In people with asthma who are allergic to mold, breathing in spores can also cause asthma attacks.
In addition to people with allergies and asthma, others who may be more sensitive to the effects of mold include:
- Infants and children
- People whose immune systems are compromised due to HIV infection, cancer, liver disease, or chemotherapy
- People with chronic lung disease
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How Long Do Mold Symptoms Last
The tricky thing about mold exposure is that its different for each person. The amount of time mold exposure symptoms persist depends on:
- What type of mold they are exposed to,
- How long the exposure has been,
- How well their bodies eliminate toxins
Those who process toxins well can see their symptoms disappear as quickly as a few days.
Others who eliminate toxins slowly can experience symptoms for much longer. They could be ill for months or even years after the source of mold is eliminated.
How Do I Prevent Carpet Mold
Many of us love decorating our homes with colourful carpets and rugs. Unfortunately, we often overlook the potential danger of carpet mold. Wall-to-wall carpeting and area rugs, in particular, are at high risk. The best way to eliminate a carpet mold problem is to call a professional mold removal company, such as the certified team of technicians at Mold Busters. Moreover, there are ways you can prevent carpet mold from developing in the first place.
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For Help With Mold Removal
Of course, we recommend everyone with mold in the home remove it, or have it removed, as soon as possible in order to prevent the development of mold-related health issues. If youre already experiencing symptoms that are or might be related to mold exposure, though, its especially important that you take care of mold removal as soon as possible. While some homeowners prefer to handle mold removal on their own, that may be inadvisable if youre having mold-related health problems, even if you have the knowledge and the skills to do the job. The process of removing mold will expose you to more mold spores, which can worsen your symptoms. Talk to your doctor if youre not sure if its safe for you to handle mold removal on your own.
We suggest scheduling an appointment for a free consultation and inspection with a mold remediation professional. He or she will visit your home, inspect for mold, discuss the extent of the problem with you, and offer advice regarding the cleanup process. There is no cost and no obligation, and youll benefit from some free professional advice even if you decide to handle the cleanup on your own. To find qualified mold remediation professionals offering free consultations and inspections in your area, follow the link.
Are All Molds Bad For My Health
No, not all molds are considered bad for your health. Some molds are actually beneficial to the environment, such as those used in the production of cheese and other food items. However, there are some types of mold that can cause health problems, particularly for people with allergies or weakened immune systems. If youre concerned about a particular type of mold, its best to consult with a doctor or other medical professional.
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All Carpet Cleaning Companies Should Give You A Precise Quote Over The Phone
As much as you would like to know exactly how much you will have pay for carpet cleaning, a serious company will rarely give you a quote over the phone.
The price will depend on the type of carpet, the amount of dirt and the amount of furniture that has to be moved. None of these can be determined over the phone, so cleaners will have to come to your house to perform an assessment. Only then will they be able to give you an accurate quote.
Does This Sound Familiar
While allergic reactions to substances like peanuts and bee stings are unmistakable, a mold allergy certainly sounds a lot like just being sick. Mold allergies are not just uncomfortable but deceptive as well. Diagnosing a mold allergy can be challenging because its so easy to mistake it for a cold, the flu, or another upper respiratory infection. What sets a mold allergy apart?
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Clean Out Your Dirty Mouth
Your toothbrush holder is actually the filthiest thing in your bathroom . According to the NSF, 64% of all toothbrush holders tested positive for molds. Because, think about itwhenâs the last time you actually cleaned your toothbrush holder? And since your toothbrush sits inside it, youâre putting that mold straight into your mouth.
The Rx: Wash your toothbrush holder in sudsy water once a week.
The Mold And Asthma Connection
No matter how well controlled your asthma may be, exposure to mold spores can trigger asthma symptoms, especially if you have a mold allergy. As the spores enter your lungs, your immune system responds to fight them, releasing immune cells and chemicals like histamine. The result is your airway may constrict , making it hard to breathe. Your respiratory system may also start producing more mucus, in an effort to get the allergens out of your lungs.
Mold may affect young children differently from adults. A study published in 2018 found children exposed to mold may develop asthma later in life.
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How Long Does It Take For Mold To Get Out Of Your System
Again, the answer to this question is highly dependent on several factors: your level of exposure, health history, environment, type of mold, and degree of sensitivity.
Some individuals get better just weeks after removing the source of mold and immersing themselves in clean, mold-free environments.
Other people have reported it took over a year to fully recover.
A good way to gauge how long you will be battling mold in your system is how much mold has built up. The more mold that is in your body, the longer it will take to remove.
How To Protect Your Health From Dirty Carpets
In order to keep you and your family safe from the health risks associated with dirty carpets, it is necessary to perform regular maintenance and cleaning of your home.
The following practices will protect you from the threats posed by dirty carpets and eventually improve the quality of your indoor air.
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Can Air Purifiers Reduce Mold Spores
To really protect yourself from the effects of breathing black mold spores, you have to address it in the air. The best way to reduce and eliminate black mold spores from your indoor air is by running a high-quality air purifier for mold. Not sure where to look? Weve got you covered.
At Air Oasis, we create superior air purifiers by utilizing the top purification technologies: activated carbon filtration, HEPA filtration, UV light and two types of ionization. In a 2018 study, our iAdaptAir® was able to reduce the airborne fungus Aspergillus niger by 99.9% after 10 minutes.
When youre ready to get serious about mold elimination, let our top-of-the-line air purifiers do the heavy lifting. By reducing and eliminating mold spores in the air, our air purifiers can prevent mold from recolonizing and help you to breathe safer. If you have questions about our air purifiers, reach out to us online or give us a call at .
Mold In The Workplace
Some workplaces, such as poorly ventilated factories, greenhouses, and vineyards, may house large amounts of mold.
Any workplace that contains lots of old paper products, such as used book stores, may be a source of mold. Paper contains cellulose, an organic food source that certain mold species thrive upon. Old books thatve been housed in humid conditions may be filled with millions of mold spores.
Farms and stables may also harbor large amounts of moldy hay. Mold toxins often develop in hay after a delayed harvest. Hay that contains mold is dangerous for humans to breathe in and for horses to eat.
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And It Damages Your Sense Of Smell
Michigan State University researchers found that a toxin produced by the black mold Stachybotrys chartarum can kill the nerve cells essential for the sense of smell, at least in mice. Even scarier, the team found this happens even with a low-dose. Black mold is also linked to a dangerous respiratory disease in infant humans called pulmonary hemorrhage, a bleeding disorder in the lungs caused by inhaling spores in the home.
The Rx: Studies on the effect on the human sense of smell are ongoing, so thereâs probably more to come. Just try to stay away from black mold if at all possible. And to live your happiest and healthiest life, donât miss these 100 Ways Your Home Could Be Making You Sick.
It Might Be In Your Peanut Butter
If you love a good PB& J, think twice about the brand youâre using: it may be moldy. According to the Society of Toxicology, peanuts are the food most likely to be contaminated with aflatoxin, a dangerous species of mold. While some of these molds can be killed off by roasting the peanuts, it doesnât work every time. Aflatoxins are acutely toxic and in large amounts can cause vomiting, convulsions, liver cancer, hemorrhaging, coma and death.
The Rx:âYou can reduce your aflatoxin exposure by buying only major commercial brands of nuts and nut butters and by discarding nuts that look moldy, discolored, or shriveled,â advises the National Cancer Institute. âTo help minimize risk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration tests foods that may contain aflatoxins, such as peanuts and peanut butter. To date, no outbreak of human illness caused by aflatoxins has been reported in the United States, but such outbreaks have occurred in some developing countries.â
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How Can You Tell If Mold Is Making You Sick
It can be hard to distinguish common mold exposure symptoms from those of an infection or a more serious condition. Many of these illnesses share a lot of the same side effects, and you may not be able to tell that youre sick until several days after exposure.
While most healthy people may only experience the temporary symptoms listed above, those with more compromised or weakened immune systems are at a greater risk of becoming sick after mold exposure. People in this group include the elderly, pregnant women, babies, young children and those with chronic health conditions.
There are a few serious illnesses that can be caused by mold exposure, but each usually has its own telltale symptoms that separates it from the others. Remember: the most common sign of an infection is a fever, so check your temperature regularly if you fear you may be sick.
These are just a few examples of illnesses that can be caused by molds:
- Aspergillosis an infection that typically comes after exposure to molds in the aspergillus family. These molds are often found in decaying vegetation, such as dead leaves, compost piles and stored grain. People who have gone through chemotherapy, had an organ transplant or have compromised lungs are the most likely demographic to contract aspergillosis. Common side effects include coughing , fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, chills, shock or kidney/liver problems.
If You Have Asthma Or Other Chronic Illnesses
If a member of the household has allergies before exposure, they are at risk of developing asthma. So for family members who already have asthma? Breathing in mold spores can trigger an asthma flare-up, or worsen existing asthma.
For asthmatics or people with a compromised immune system, the effects of mold can be severe. Those at risk can also develop allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. This is a lung infection caused by breathing in spores it causes fever, fatigue, and chest pain.
People with weakened or compromised immune systems can suffer long-term consequences of mold exposure. A study done by the National Institute of Health noted that people with chronic fatigue syndrome had mycotoxins in their system, even years after the exposure to mold.
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How Are People Exposed To Harmful Mold Spores
Mold spores are present in both indoor and outdoor air. People are exposed to mold spores when they breathe in air that contains them. Mold spores can also enter the body through the skin or eyes. Some people may be more sensitive to mold than others. People with allergies to mold, or with conditions such as asthma, may have more serious reactions to mold spores.
Can Bad Air Quality Make It Hard To Breathe
In this blog post, we will discuss Can bad air quality make it hard to breathe? First, we will discuss the basics of air pollution. Then, we will understand the meaning of AQI and its importance. An explanation of the concept of inhalation of bad air quality by your respiratory system will follow this. In the end, the article will provide you with the solutions to mitigate the bad air quality.
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