Article: Damp weather great for mold spores, not for allergy sufferers; Abundance of rain: Health officials say the fungi can cause problems for those with lung ailments

Beware of mold spores during this damp weather. The abundance of rain recently has aided the growth of spores, causing a health concern for some.

For people with asthma and other lung ailments, common mold spores can "cause airways to become inflamed and spasm," said Sue Meade, a respiratory therapist at Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque.

"This time of the year can be horrible for them," Meade said. "They can develop problems very easily."

Mold spores are microscopic fungi composed of clusters of slender, thread-like structures called filaments.

Smaller than pollen, mold spores can become airborne and can trigger allergic reactions if inhaled.

"Molds are one of several things people could have ...

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