83% of Parents Claim to Know the Difference Between Allergy and Cold Symptoms In Their Children:

Research Shows They Are Not Always Right

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WASHINGTON, March 24, 1999-- A survey released today by the American Lung Association (ALA), funded through an educational grant from Honeywell Consumer Products, reveals that 83 percent of parents in households with allergy sufferers claim to know the difference between symptoms of allergies and the common cold. Many parents, however, could not tell the difference between three out of five allergy symptoms, including fever, sneezing and duration.

According to the American Lung Association, when a child has an occasional, low-grade fever, he or she is probably suffering from a cold, not from allergies. Allergy sufferers rarely run a fever, but only 52 percent of the parents surveyed actually knew that. When it comes to sneezing, children that suffer from violent, prolonged spells rather than just as an occasional "ACHOO" are likely suffering from allergies, not a cold. Only 45 percent of the parents polled, however, know the difference in sneezing. Finally, slightly more than half of the parents polled realized that most colds last approximately seven to ten days -- a much shorter duration than the weeks or months that allergies tend to linger.

"It's important for parents to know the difference between cold and allergy symptoms, especially as they prepare for allergy season," according to ALA President Dr. Linda Ford. "And if you think your child has allergies, see your doctor for proper diagnosis. If your child does have allergies, improving indoor air quality and controlling the home environment are very important parts of allergy care."

The American Lung Association suggests three major strategies for reducing home indoor air pollution including:

• Control the Source: Reduce or remove as many asthma or allergy triggers from your home as possible; pay attention to dust mites, controlling them especially in the bedroom; keep pets outside whenever possible.

• Ventilate: Keep the windows open as often as possible to allow air to circulate. Or, when the temperature, pollution index or pollen count is high, use an air conditioner to allow the windows and doors to stay closed while air circulates.

• Clean the Air: This can be done several ways, such as by using a stand- alone HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) air cleaning system to help to capture airborne particles and common household allergens, such as pollen, pet dander, tobacco smoke particles, dust and mold spores that pass through the air. Such air cleaners may help reduce allergies.

"If you suspect that someone in your family has allergies, see your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment," says Dr. Ford. "Source control, ventilation and the use of an air cleaner are steps everyone can take to improve the quality of air in their homes, regardless of whether or not they suffer from allergies," she said.

The American Lung Association, the nation's oldest voluntary health organization, has been fighting lung disease for more than 90 years. With its medical section, the American Thoracic Society, the association offers programs of education, community service, advocacy and research to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. To learn more about indoor air quality and the American Lung Association, call 1-800-LUNG-USA or visit their Web site at http://www.lungusa.org.

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Source: Honeywell Consumer Products

Web site: http://www.lungusa.org

Cindy Wright of the American Lung Association, 212-315-8790, or Mike Doyle, of Ketchum, 202-835-8847, for Honeywell Consumer Products