Virus trigger allergy

Site Menu Home. Search Health Topics. Search the NIH Guide. NIH Research Matters. April 18, Virus linked to food sensitivity. At a Glance Researchers found that a seemingly innocuous virus can provoke immune responses to a dietary protein in mice. Patients with celiac disease showed high levels of antibodies to the virus. The results suggest that viruses may play a role in initiating immune responses against gluten. Core structure of a reovirus. Once thought to be harmless, reovirus infections may prompt sensitivity to dietary proteins.

Breathing in mold can trigger an asthma attack whether or not you are allergic to mold. Indoor mold growth is often found in damp areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and basements, or in areas where water damage has occurred.

There are many types of mold which can be found in any climate. Get rid of mold in your home to help control your attacks. Disinfectants can trigger an asthma attack. People with asthma should try to stay away when cleaners or disinfectants are being used and right after their use. Follow these precautions when cleaning or disinfecting places where people with asthma may spend time, such as homes, schools, or workplaces:.

To learn more about cleaning to prevent illness in your home, including which products are effective, see Cleaning and Disinfecting your Home. Infections linked to influenza flu , colds, and respiratory syncytial virus RSV can trigger an asthma attack.

Sinus infections, allergies, pollen , breathing in some chemicals, and acid reflux can also trigger attacks. Physical exercise; some medicines; bad weather, such as thunderstorms or high humidity; breathing in cold, dry air; and some foods, food additives, and fragrances can also trigger an asthma attack. Atopic dermatitis, an allergic skin condition also called eczema, can cause skin to:. Some types of allergies, including allergies to foods and insect stings, can trigger a severe reaction known as anaphylaxis.

A life-threatening medical emergency, anaphylaxis can cause you to go into shock. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include:. You might see a doctor if you have symptoms you think are caused by an allergy, and over-the-counter allergy medications don't provide enough relief. If you have symptoms after starting a new medication, call the doctor who prescribed it right away. For a severe allergic reaction anaphylaxis , call or your local emergency number or seek emergency medical help.

If you carry an epinephrine auto-injector Auvi-Q, EpiPen, others , give yourself a shot right away. Even if your symptoms improve after an epinephrine injection, you should go to the emergency department to make sure symptoms don't return when the effects of the injection wear off.

If you've had a severe allergy attack or any signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis in the past, make an appointment to see your doctor. Evaluation, diagnosis and long-term management of anaphylaxis are complicated, so you'll probably need to see a doctor who specializes in allergies and immunology. An allergy starts when your immune system mistakes a normally harmless substance for a dangerous invader.

The immune system then produces antibodies that remain on the alert for that particular allergen. She says it's possible to have hives, itchy rashes, and swelling with every virus—including COVID The exact reason for this is unclear but Dr. Parikh says that it's thought that "over-stimulation of the immune system can cause immune complexes that trigger histamine release. Prathit Kulkarni, MD, assistant professor of medicine in infectious diseases at Baylor College of Medicine, tells Health that this is "not exactly an allergy to the virus directly, but an infection can 'wake up' an allergic response in the body in general.

Kulkarni says. This can be confusing, but remember: While histamine plays a role in allergic reactions, it also has other responsibilities it he body. Adalja, M. Histamines are part of the immune system in general, and are known as signaling molecules, which means they send messages between cells, so they have many different jobs in the body, according to MedlinePlus, a resource from the US National Library of Medicine.

For example, one of histamine's responsibilities is telling stomach cells to make stomach acid.