By Amy Moore

The News staff writer

Ike has come and gone, but what the storm left behind reminds residents of the horrific force of Mother Nature.

As many allergy sufferers stock up on tissue and medication for seasonal sniffles, another concern of life after Ike arises — illnesses related to mold.

Cindy Powers, Director Infection Control at Christus Hospital, said the coughs and wheezing so prevalent in the area now are akin to the evacuation and post-Ike exercises - including cleaning out moldy homes and standing in long lines waiting for assistance.

“It is not uncommon for illness to flourish when disaster strikes,” she said. “We may be in crowded conditions with some who are ill; we may be exposed to allergens not usually encountered or in higher doses. When people are crowded together like during an evacuation, there can be 18 in one house and if one person has a respiratory virus, everyone will get it eventually,” she said.

Tack on to that the physical, mental and emotional stress of evacuations and recovery from hurricane disasters, and many people fall victim to disease.

“Remember when we are stressed, so is our immune system. It all spreads fast in disasters,” she said, referencing the recovery assistance stations where many people line up for help and possibly spread diseases to one another after a storm.

Another issue, she explained, is the fact that Ike disrupted natural vegetation, killing many trees and plants with its violent saltwater storm surge. The unusual amount of allergens in the air, combined with the dry weather Southeast Texas has been experiencing only leads to more problems, Powers said.

“Along with that is mold and dealing with water-damaged homes. Mold sets in pretty quickly and the question is how you take care of yourself,” she said.

Simple tips include covering coughs and sneezes and washing hands often.

“Many times we spread illness to ourselves by touching our nose, mouth or eyes with dirty hands,” she said. “If you or your family are sick, stay away from public places to decrease spread of illness.”

People with asthma, allergies, or other breathing conditions may be more sensitive to mold and people with immune suppression (such as people with HIV infection, cancer patients taking chemotherapy, and people who have received an organ transplant) are more susceptible to mold infections.

Common symptoms of mold exposure are stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing, or skin irritation. More severe reactions are difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. People with weakened immune systems and with chronic lung diseases, such as obstructive lung disease, may develop mold infections in their lungs.

Bridge City and Sabine Pass residents are several weeks into the clean-up process, but workers going into these areas for the first time should follow these precautionary tips: wear a N95 mask and gloves when cleaning and wash well afterward.