This past week the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology had their annual meeting in Boston. The Academy estimates that 40 to 50 million Americans suffer from asthma or allergic diseases. Asthma rates alone have more than tripled in 25 years, now affecting 22 million people. A recent article USA Today article titled, “Allergies triggered by ‘things we love’ are rising,” suggests that pets may be having an increased effect on out allergies. It is estimated that 90% of homes have significant levels of dog and cat hair – even in those homes that don’t have a pet! How can that be? Pet dander is easily transfered from pet owner’s clothing to other places they visit. Studies done in Scandinavia and here in the USA have shown that school children without pets still had a measurable amount of pet dander in their home, transferred to them at school from classmates with pets at home.
In my New York City office, I’ve noticed several patients are developing upper respiratory infections – nothing severe, as this is common in October and November with the change in weather. In many cases, I just prescribed nasal sprays, only a few patients required antibiotics for bronchitis or sinusitis. But this reminded me that flu season is just around the corner… and this is the optimal time to get your flu shot. 
