Roaches & Mice Linked To More Infections In Kids With Asthma

Are cockroaches and mice the reason why some kids with asthma have more colds than others?
Dr. Darlene Bhavnani, of the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas, is heading up this research to determine why certain populations have more asthma and its complications than others.
In this study, allergen concentrations in the participant’s homes were measured in the air (mouse), and in settled dust (mouse, cockroach, dog and cat).
Ninety children participated in the study (92% black, 92% public insurance), and 192 observations were included. During their observations, 52 (27%) of the children had an upper respiratory infection (URI).
The study showed that a doubling of the cockroach allergen concentration increased the odds of a URI with cold symptoms by 18%. They found that the odds of a URI + cold symptoms + pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation increased by 31%, and the odds of a URI + cold symptoms + reduced lung function increased by 45%. Concentrations of mouse allergens were also positively associated with all outcomes.
Conclusions: “Cockroach and mouse, but not dog or cat, allergen exposure may predispose children with asthma to URIs with colds and lower respiratory outcomes.”
Dr. Bhavnani’s goal with this study is to encourage medical providers to not just practice medical protocols, but to start asking about the environment where they live. She said, “It’s not just going to be treatment. Providers can’t just send them back to the environment that made them sick.”
Ladies and gentlemen, if your kids are frequently getting sick and you have a cockroach or mouse problem at your home, you may want to take this study seriously.