It is great the have the symptoms laid out!!
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Tips for Avoiding Pneumonia and Other Exacerbations When You Have COPD
Having a chronic lung condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can make you more susceptible to dangerous lung infections like pneumonia. However, according to the COPD Foundation, there are ways that you can avoid developing pneumonia and other exacerbations.
What is pneumonia?Pneumonia is an infection that can occur in one or both lungs. It can be caused by bacteria or viruses and in rare cases, certain fungi which are transferred by touch or by breathing droplets in the air. The organisms settle in the air sacs within the lungs and turn to fluid or pus as the immune system tries to rid the lungs of the infection.
Pneumonia mainly affects young children, smokers, adults over the age of 65 and people with lung conditions such as COPD. Along with the flu, pneumonia is the eighth leading cause of death in the U.S.
The infection can be caused by other illnesses such as flu, measles, pneumococcus, whooping cough and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).
Symptoms of pneumoniaSymptoms of pneumonia can often be mistaken for a COPD exacerbation, which makes it extremely important to contact your healthcare team if you have any of the following symptoms:
Fever or shaking chills
Rapid breathing or shortness of breath more severe than usual
Excess coughing producing lots of mucus
Change in color of mucus (usually green, yellow, tan or bloody)
Increased heart rate
Pain in a specific area (or areas) of the chest when deep breathing
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Ways to avoid pneumonia and other exacerbationsRecognizing the early warning signs of pneumonia or another COPD exacerbation are key to quickly treating pneumonia, but there are ways that you can try to avoid the infection, including:
Keeping up with appointments with your healthcare team, even if you feel well
Having flu and pneumonia vaccinations annually
Regularly washing your hands, particularly after touching items other people may have handled
Carrying a bottle of hand sanitizer around for when you’re somewhere without washrooms
Avoiding touching your mouth, nose and eyes
Carrying your own pen so you don’t need to use other people’s
Avoiding large crowds during cold and flu season
Avoiding people who are ill
Quitting smoking
Eat a healthy, balanced diet
Get plenty of sleep
copdnewstoday.com/2017/08/03/avoiding-pneumonia-copd
