Chest Infection every August

[goose2002]

Every year for about the past 4 or 5 years, around August to the start of September I suffer from serious wheezing and usually end up getting a chest infection at some point.  As it seems to be an annual event I am convinced that it muct be an allergy of some kind.  I also feel that it must be something in my parents house as I am usually fine or at least mildly affected by it until I return home for a period of time, over the August/September period.  I am not fully sure however and this could just be a coincidence.  I have been to a number of doctors numerous times and usually end up getting a course of Antibiotics to treat the bronchitis that has developed and the condition has always dissappeared, but then again, its usually near the end of the August/September period anyway.

Doctors have done tests and told me that I do not have Asthma and that the condition is caused probably by an allergy to a particular plant/mould/item.  I have never been able to pinpoint exactly what however and frankly just want to get to the bottom of it.  When I do suffer from wheezing during this time, breathing can become very difficult, however it is always worse at night which severely affects my sleep.  In the morning when I wake up, I usually then have a period of about half an hour where I basically have to cough my lungs up to be able to breath normally.  Any phlem that I cough up is usually quite thick and sometimes brown, a sign of another chest infection.   A year ago I was given a Ventolin inhaler and I although I dislike using it, and only use it when I really have to, I have found it works exceptionally well at stopping the wheezing, helping me clear phlem quickly and allowing my breathing return to normal.  

I would however love to get to the bottom of this however and would like to know if anybody recognises the symptoms and might possibly know what might be causing this.  Hayfever would be an obvious answer, but if it is, it is very select.  I am in the TA ( British Army Reserves ) and never have a problem during my 2 week summer camp ( June to July) while others at it suffer constantly from hayfever and other allergies.  My condition only ever occurs in August to the start of September.  I am living in Ireland if this helps in any way.  Another small bit of info is that sometimes ( And only sometimes) when brocolli is being cooked I get a mild wheez but this normally dissappears an hour or 2 later.  I would really appreciate if anyone has any ideas or suggestions as to what may be causing this condition, to let my know.

Thank you
goose2002

[mattlang]

Hi, great to find med help.
I have found it most helpfull to read the posts in the thread i have noted here. Doesn't seem like there is an answer to the problem of chest infection that is inevitable at the same time every year. For me , symptons started just a couple of days ago (20 July). It as if the perfect conditions are when the weather changes from the very dry summer to the rain. I wonder if that has lifted some pollen in the damp air.?
I have the usual visit to the doctor, prescribing me with Ventolin inhaler, antihistamine and bronchodialators with or without steroids.
Could you help with the post  'Diagnosis is done by skin testing. Confirmatory test is by blood test (RAST).' What does this invove?
Any how, it is good to make a start on identifying the causes. I hope one year 'soon' It will be chest infection free.
Are there other places threads that I can find more information? Thankyou.

M@
Matthew Lang
Lancashire
40 yrs old

[Stace744]

For the last 10-12 years I come down with a chest infection around the changing of summer to fall.  I do have Sinus problems and nasal drip.  What can I do to prevent this nagging infection from reacurring?  I always end-up on atiobiotics.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

You seem to be having pollen hay fever or allergic rhinitis. Most pollens are windborne; they can often blow indoors (typically through open windows and doors) and trigger allergic symptoms such as allergic rhinitis (hay fever) within your home, not just outdoors. Wind-pollinated trees, grasses, and weeds produce pollen during various times of the year.

Many people who are allergic to pollen may show allergy or cross reactivity to dust mites or molds also. Since the symptoms are more at night so you may be allergic to dust mites in the pillow or mattress or on curtains etc.

Diagnosis is done by skin testing. Confirmatory test is by blood test (RAST).

Remain indoors when the outdoor pollen levels are highest like windy days. You can also use a pollen and dust mask. Use a clothes dryer instead of hanging the wash outside, where it acts as a filter trap for pollen. Make sure to clean and replace your air conditioner and air cleaner filters regularly. Also effective are various types of air-filtering devices, which can be added to the heating and cooling systems in the home. . To reduce dust mites in your home, remove drapes, feather pillows, upholstered furniture, non-washable comforters and soft toys. Replace carpets with linoleum or wood. Wash all bedding in hot water (hotter than 130°F) every 7 to 10 days. Don't use mattress pads. Cover mattress and pillows with plastic covers. Lower the humidity in your home.

You can take OTC anthistaminics like benadryl or zyrtec.You can also use some nasal decongestants but use them for a few days only. . Corticosteroids and bronchodilators can also be used. You can also use saline nasal sprays or steam inhalation at home.

Another effective agent that is available by prescription is cromolyn sodium. In severe cases, Immunotherapy is advised.

Hope I have provided you with sufficient information. In case you need any more then pls post us.

[dimension]

My son had a similar response each September for three years.  He has allergic asthma and September is one of the worst pollen periods of the year in Texas.  Since he started allergy injection treatments, he has not had a response like bronchitis or pneumonia and does not have any asthma symptoms.   If you can not look into allergy immunotherapy injections, I would start allergy and airway treatment over the counter medications (in the future) by July, such as an antihistamine and bronchodialators with or without steroids- daily until you are confident the allergy culprit has subsided.  We are also told that a known allergy susceptible period requires stricter avoidance of other irritants and a healthier diet to keep the immune system stronger to battle the harsher allergens. Hope this helps because it does sound like an allergen probably in your pollen season.