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Emi and I are wondering if perhaps our constant exposure to feather dust might be having some impact on our health. For the past month for Emi, and the past 3 weeks for myself, we've both been plagued with some type of respiratory problems, and while Emi is worse off than I am, she probably has had more exposure to the kids dust than I have in the past month since I've had to be out of house several hours per day. What little bit I've read about zoonotic diseases, there is no clear cut answers or descriptions to symptoms. I do remember reading on bird chatter there are some people who were evidently sensitive to birdie dust, or plain out had some allergies to the dust. My question is do any of you know for sure you have a sensitivity to bird dust, or an allergy, or do you know someone who does? As for the zoonotic diseases, Chlamydia & Aspergillosis come to mind, and perhaps there are some more, but we generally don't take more than a week to get over the normal rhinovirus type bug, and that has led me to start wondering if it possibly could be the kids causing us grief. I don't have a HEPA filter per-se, but the electrostatic filter in the HVAC system does trap a LOT of crud as evidenced when I clean the filters. That combined with the 3M filtrete ultra-allergen filters should be taking care of the majority of the microscopic particles we don't see, plus the particles you see almost like a smoke when viewing stuff thru sunlight.

Anyone care to expound on my comments?

Thanks..

Sam

There was an article on Bird talk magazine not that long ago on 'bird keeper's lung" . Apparently dust from dander and dry droppings can be a problem to human lungs. I will see if I can find that article and let you know about it. i would definitely get an air filter. There are all kinds advertised in bird Talk specifically for this.

As for the zoonotic diseases, Chlamydia & Aspergillosis come to mind...

While Chlamydia can be transfered from bird to human, Asper cannot. It cannot even be transfered from bird to bird. You would have to be exposed to the mold spores yourself to get Asper.

Chlamydia has flu like symptoms. Keep in mind it is winter and there are several "bugs" going around.

With the number of birds you have, you do need a good HEPA filter, not only for your sake, but for the birds as well.

http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-diet-and-health/bird-care/bird-clean-air.aspx

http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-diet-and-health/bird-care/clean-up-birds-air.aspx

Here is an article about bird keeper's lung. Take a look at it.

About HEPA filters and owning birds, reccomendations included.
http://www.multiscope.com/hotspot/bird_breeders_lung.htm

Sam
I agree with the others I have asthma and 3 birds and 2 cats (no lectures please!) I run a hepa in my living room with very few issues . I do have to empty it monthly from the filters and wash parts of them . Anually I replace the filters them self (not the unit) . I would suggest taking and getting one big one and several smaller ones for around the house such as the bed room and living room (if you can ) Have your HAVVAC come over and place new filters in your furnace as well . Take a damp cloth and wipe down if possible . And what ever you do TAKE CARE OF YOURSELFS ...