What does red tide do to lungs?

What does red tide do to lungs?

Red tide is the nickname for a harmful algal bloom that comes from a high concentration of a microscopic alga. Red tide produces toxic chemicals that can impact marine life, but also causes respiratory irritation. This can impact anyone and worsen symptoms in people living with lung diseases like asthma.

What are the symptoms of airborne red tide toxins?

Symptoms from breathing red tide toxins usually include coughing, sneezing, and teary eyes. For most people, symptoms are temporary when red tide toxins are in the air. Wearing a particle filter mask may lessen the effects, and research shows that using over-the- counter antihistamines may decrease your symptoms.

How is red tide used to treat respiratory infections?

People with chronic respiratory conditions should be diligent about taking their medications during a red tide event. For those without chronic breathing problems, over-the-counter antihistamines can help ease red-tide symptoms like coughing, itchy throat and irritated eyes.

Can red algae make you sick?

Red tide algae also make toxins, though scientists don’t know why. These toxins can damage the breathing and digestive systems of wildlife and people in the area. They can also build up in certain “grazing” fish, like krill, and in shellfish. This can make larger fish, mammals, and humans sick if they feed on them.

Can red tide cause pneumonia?

One study, in Sarasota, Florida, found a 19% increase in the rate of pneumonia cases diagnosed during a 3-month onshore red tide event and, among coastal residents, a 54% higher rate of diagnoses of respiratory illness (pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and upper airway disease) (7).

Is red tide poisonous to humans?

Key takeaways. A red tide may not be harmful to humans who aren’t exposed to its toxins, but it can have a negative impact on marine life. If you eat seafood contaminated with toxins, neurological symptoms may occur and become serious.

Why does red tide make you cough?

The red tide also poses a health risk to people. The microorganisms emit brevetoxins, which can get blown into the air. When the toxins are breathed in, they constrict passages in the lungs, causing people to cough and have difficulty breathing.

Can red tide give you bronchitis?

The all-too-common red tide event is bad enough to send beach goers packing. Combine that with an uptick in COVID-19 cases and a bronchitis outbreak and it can spell disaster for your respiratory system.

Is the red tide harmful to people?

Swimming is safe for most people. However, the red tide can cause some people to suffer skin irritation and burning eyes. People with respiratory illness may also experience respiratory irritation in the water. Use common sense.

Where is red tide the worst in Florida?

According to FWC’s red tide map, the worst of the recent blooms are located offshore and onshore of north Pinellas County beaches, near Clearwater, as well as Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach in Manatee County.

Is red algae helpful or harmful?

When blooms occur, their toxins can kill fish and other marine animals. When their toxins become airborne, they can also have respiratory affects on people at beaches. These algae are not harmful and are non-toxic but, when they wash up on beaches, can smell bad as they decompose.