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Infection Prevention and Guidelines
Infection Prevention
It is impossible to live in a completely germ-free environment. The
fact remains that people who have lung disease are more prone to develop
respiratory infections then our healthier counterparts. When we do get
infections, we also seem to get them worse; they last longer and are
harder to recover from as well.
Because each infection can cause further lung damage, it is important to
take some practical precautions.
Most germs are spread by way
of hand contact.
 | Be sure to wash your hands often.
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| Stay away from crowded places,
especially during winter months when more people have colds or flu.
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| Avoid those people whom you know have a
cold or flu. Explaining your risk to relatives and friends will help
them understand and hopefully comply with your needs. |
| It is suggested that for unexpected
mishaps, you carry some anti-bacterial hand wipes with you or a
travel-size bottle of the newer anti-bacterial hand washes. They all fit
easily in purse or pocket or in your vehicle's glove compartment.
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Keep yourself healthy.
| Take your medications as prescribed.
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| Get regular exercise. |
| Stop smoking if you have not already.
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| Eat nourishing meals. |
| Get adequate rest.
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Protect yourself.
| Get a Flu shot annually. The influenza
virus changes from year to year. It is therefore necessary to be
re-vaccinated each year. Check with your doctor or public health agency
for times and availability in your area. |
| If you have not already had one, ask you
doctor if you should receive the pneumonia vaccine. Pneumonia can be
caused by either viral or bacterial causes. The pneumonia vaccine will
only protect you against certain strains of strep-pneumonia; however, it
does offer some protection. Many doctors recommend it. Check with your
own personal physician for recommendation as to when or if you should
receive an additional shot.
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Signs of infection.
Lung infections can come on quickly and cause serious problems for
those of us with COPD and other lung disorders. Our already compromised
immune systems have trouble fighting off infections and the damage the
infections can cause to our lungs is something we need to try to avoid
as much as possible.
Contact your physician
immediately if:
| You have a fever or uncontrollable
chills. |
| You are coughing much more than normal
for you. |
| You are very short of breath or your
shortness of breath is worse than what is normal for you. |
| You are wheezing with an increased
severity or more than what is normal for you. |
| You have more or thicker mucus than what
is normal for you. |
| You notice a change in the color of the
mucus you are producing. Green, yellow, gray or blood-tinged mucus can
be a sign of infection. |
| You have an increase in nasal discharge.
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| You notice a change in color of that
discharge. Green and yellow are indicators of a sinus infection. |
Compiled by COPD-International
Community Members
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