Ah Mike, sadly we no longer have birds. Many years ago, when there was an outbreak of histoplasmosis in our state, the State Epidemiologist visited our home & tested us & our birds because we were having lung issues. It wasn't histo, but he was pretty frank about the fact that birds and humans ought not live in the same room due to risks of cross-infection. We were young and stubborn, so kept on with our pets.

Years later, our tiny daughter was having huge allergy issues. The first thing the pediatrician and ENT did was demand that the birds be rehomed. Then on to other measures - and she improved.

Fast forward another 20 years, my daughter took up with a Falconer who owned other birds as well. Due to his poor housing, 2 parrots came to live with her - and she was sick from allergies all the time. Every time I visited her, I came home with an asthma attack. Finally, the last little guy passed about 7 years ago, and once again her allergies decreased.

When I was diagnosed with MAC (MAI), one of the first questions from the Pulmonologist was "Do you have birds in your home?" When I said no, he said "Don't get one." So, as much as I like birds, we no longer keep them. I just feed the wild guys many bags of seed at my feeders.

What has your doc said about birds?
Sue