As reports of swine flu are sweeping the nation, the United States maintains a vigilant watch over its own. While it was previously believed that only people in direct contact with pigs were those more susceptible to catching the swine flu virus, there are now many cases of human-to-human transmission throughout the world. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Swine Flu is now considered a pandemic. But what if you have COPD? Are you at greater risk for contracting swine flu? And, what can you do to prevent it?
What are the symptoms of swine flu?
Swine flu symptoms are similar to any other flu symptoms - fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Swine flu can also cause runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you have any of these symptoms, it is best to see your doctor right away.
Are people with COPD at greater risk?
The most common cause of COPD exacerbation is infection of the airways or lungs. In fact, any respiratory viral infection - the swine flu or other types of flu or cold viruses - can cause a worsening of COPD. The best way to approach swine flu and COPD exacerbation is through prevention. UPDATE: Currently, there is a vaccine available to help protect people against Swine Flu. Visit the CDC website for more information.
How is swine flu treated in patients with COPD?
The CDC recommends that people with certain chronic illnesses, like COPD, who have flu-like symptoms, should be treated empirically with oseltamivir or zanamavir within 24-48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
How can I prevent swine flu?
In order to prevent swine flu, the CDC recommends the following guidelines:
- Practice good hand hygiene which includes handwashing with soap and water and using an alcohol based hand-sanitizer in between washings. Learn more about handwashing and how often you should wash your hands.
- Avoid close contact with sick people by staying away from congested crowds or from anyone who is sick.
- Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze with a tissue. Throw the tissue away promptly and then wash or sanitize your hands.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Stay home from work or school
as germs are easily transmitted through mucus membranes.
if you get sick. This helps to keep the virus from spreading to others.
What about you? Are you living in fear of catching the swine flu? Leave a comment or share your thoughts in the COPD Forum.
I read somewhere that certain people who care for pigs have already been exposed and are actually immune to swine flu.
Great blog Deb.It covered all the bases.
Kristen, I have not read that, but would be interested in knowing where I can read about it.
Scotty, thanks so much for the compliment. I try to keep blog posts short and sweet and there was much more I could have said, but wanted to keep the reader’s interest.
My husband has end-stage lung disease and he is terrified of catching this new strain of flu. He had his yearly flu shot, but I see that offers no protection. He has little contact with people besides me as he is disabled. I work, however, but take an aggressive approach to people who are sick being too close to me. I use Lysol at home on surfaces, bleach for cleaning, and increase his vitamin intake when the flu goes around.
Sounds like you are doing your part to keep him and yourself, from getting the flu and that is great. All I can say is handwashing, handwashing, and more handwashing, if you want to prevent catching the flu. Remember, Swine Flu is like any other type of seasonal flu. You catch it the same way and prevent it the same way. Let us know how it pans out for you both.
This was a great deal of help! My husband has end-stage copd as well and I had already started to worry. Thanks for the great advice.
Susan,
I am glad to be of help to you and your husband. I just read that a toddler is the first to succumb to the virus and has passed away from it. Very sad, but many children die each year from seasonal flu complications, as well. As many health organizations including most of the Guides on this site, push prevention, I hope that we can bring awareness ot others about the virus and help people to keep it in perspective.
It’s now May 8th, but I thought I’d post this anyway. I had business in CA and traveled there from Iowa on May 3rd; got back yesterday. Interestingly the only person I saw on the whole trip wearing a mask (four flights through Denver both ways) was a young Hispanic male who was setting out newspapers in the Oakland Airport at about 5 AM Thursday morning. The only other thing I noticed was that it seemed like there were way more people washing their hands in the restrooms than usual. All the flights were jam packed, too. Other than that it was business as usual.
Jean
Well, I am glad to hear that a lot more people were washing their hands. Thx for the comment.
I have advanced COPD (55 yoa male) and a 5 year old son that goes to preschool, daycare, church activities, etc. The first week of the swine flu scare we restricted him from most of these things, but you can’t completely stop having a life so we’re back into full swing. I do fear that if I contract this flu, that it could be “the end”……..
Well, once again, you can prevent it like any other flu, by handwashing and taking good care of yourself. Avoiding crowds, etc. etc. Seems like things are calming down in the media about it now, don’t you think?
Myself and my mom had the Swine Flu I believe. She has COPD. The virus settled into our lungs. We had severe inflammation in our airways and were given steroids and an antibiotic to treat the secondary infection that came along with it. We were both taken back by how sick we got. I feel like we both could have died if the steroid didn’t work. My mom lives in Hawaii and I live in California. We had the exact same sickness. That’s how I know it was the Swine Flu. She had just been on an airplane. I think she got it there. It’s important to get to the doctor as soon as you feel your breathing suffering. When I went to the hospital nothing showed up on chest x-ray. The doctors didn’t know what I had. I was sick for 6 weeks. They first said pneumonia and then asthmatic bronchitis. I am a extremely healthy 33 year old female. My 4 year old had it and got over the cough part in about a month. My 14 month old had it and it took him about 5 weeks to get over. I had to give him albuterol treatments and steam his chest before bed by bath or steam from shower. Everyone is fine now but let me tell you this one is a doozy.