Los Angeles County Wildfires: Cedars-Sinai Lung Specialist Irina Dralyuk, MD, Available for Interviews

The catastrophic wildfires raging throughout Los Angeles County present special concerns for children with respiratory illnesses and their parents.

"Parents of children with a history of lung issues need to be especially cautious," said Irina Dralyuk, MD, a Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children's pulmonologist. "That means premature infants, children with asthma, cystic fibrosis and severe allergies as well as children with weak or compromised immune systems."

Dralyuk is available for media interviews to discuss topics such as how smoke can damage lungs, how to recognize respiratory distress and how to keep your children and family members safe.

Parents also should track the air quality measurement on their smartphone weather application, and whenever the air quality measurement is 125 or above, they should keep their children inside, Dralyuk said. Wednesday morning's air quality measurement for Los Angeles County was above 400.

"If parents notice their children struggling with a persistent cough, wheezing or shortness of breath, seek medical attention immediately," Dralyuk said.

Dralyuk also can discuss prevention tips, including:

• Using air purifiers and humidifiers
• Keeping windows and doors closed
• Wearing air filtration masks-not the simple anti-COVID-19 masks
• Checking asthma medications to make sure they have not expired
• Washing hands frequently

To arrange an interview, contact:
Soshea Leibler | 213-215-8000 | [email protected]