All around the metro New Orleans area people are coming up with inflamed nasal passages, inflamed throats and coughs.

The condition has become so pronounced locally that Doctors at the Spirit of Charity – a MASH-type tent set up next to University Hospital – have begun referring to it as the “Katrina cough.”

People who otherwise normally don’t have allergies have been afflicted with the symptoms and doctors say the prevalent mold and dust count is so high that those who are usually okay during allergy season are joining the crowd in misery.

“The pollen count or the mold count or the dust count is so high right now it could be tipping you over the edge,” said Dr. Peter Deblieux of the LSU Health Science Center Emergency services. “We see it here very frequently with at least a handful of these cases everyday coming in Spirit of Charity.

“We have a lot of people who don't have asthma, who don't have chronic lung disease, who come in with this cough. And once you examine them you an see the inflammatory nature of their nasal passages and their throat and it's an easy diagnosis.”

Doctors say if you are otherwise a healthy person the best thing to do is take some over the counter antihistamines or cough suppressants to treat the symptoms. Doctors can also prescribe steroids for the inflammation, but a real cure can only come with time and by limiting your time in molded homes and around smokers, pets and feather pillows.

A tight-fitted mask can help too if you still have cleaning to do.

But Deblieux has a strong warning for anyone with health problems.

“In those people molds just don't irritate you, they can set up a true infection in you because you don't have a normal immune system. Those people can actually develop life-threatening infections,” he emphasized. “If you are at risk for infections, have chronic diseases - particularly chronic lung diseases - you shouldn't be in your home recovering items this could be the trigger that sets you off or that places you in a hospital that places your life at risk.”

Dr. Deblieux says you are most at risk for serious problems if you have lung disease, cancer, AIDS, or a transplant that weakens your immune system.