A 30-year-old man with known mild intermittent asthma presents to the clinic complaining of chest tightness, cough, and wheezing during his visits to his friend who has several cats. He typically does not have these symptoms at home or work. What could be the potential cause, and what are the next steps?
This patient's symptoms during his visits to a home with cats suggest that his asthma may be triggered by a cat allergy. Allergens like pet dander can cause inflammation in the airways of people with asthma, leading to symptoms such as chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing. The next step would be to discuss this potential trigger with the patient, recommend measures to minimize exposure (such as avoiding areas where the cats often are or considering antihistamines before visiting), and reassessing his asthma action plan to ensure his symptoms can be managed during these visits.