Be Vigilant About Respiratory Illness

You’ve heard about the dangers of COVID-19, flu and other respiratory illnesses that affect the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. There are steps you can take today to prevent disease and boost your respiratory health in case you do get sick. Taking good care of your lungs can improve your quality Dr. Fadi I. Abu-Shahin of life and protect against respiratory illnesses that can take a toll on your lungs. RECOGNIZE SERIOUS SYMPTOMS It’s important to know that anyone can have mild to severe symptoms with either COVID-19 or flu. “Respiratory illnesses pose a greater risk for older adults and people who have underlying health conditions,” said Dr. Fadi I. Abu-Shahin, hematologist-oncologist at Houston Methodist Cancer Center at Willowbrook. “For example, family members living with a smoker are more likely to develop pneumonia, bronchitis, ear infections and asthma.”

Monitor your symptoms if you’re not feeling well:

Mild respiratory symptoms include having a low-grade fever, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, mild cough and mild body aches. What to do: Get tested for COVID-19.

Stay home and isolate yourself from others to avoid spreading illness, even if you test negative for COVID-19.

Moderate respiratory symptoms include fever over 100.4 F, persistent cough, temporary shortness of breath and feeling like you need to stay in bed. What to do: Get tested for COVID-19 and contact your doctor about worsening symptoms.

Severe respiratory symptoms include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, wheezing, pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, trouble staying awake and bluish lips or face. What to do: Seek emergency medical care for severe respiratory symptoms.

Mild cases of respiratory illness can often be managed with rest, fluids and fever-reducing medicines at home. However, don’t wait to see a doctor if you’re in a high-risk group and experiencing worsening symptoms. Mild or moderate symptoms can quickly become severe for older adults and those who have heart disease, diabetes, cancer or chronic respiratory problems.

MANAGE YOUR HEALTH CONDITIONS If you have chronic respiratory conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it’s important to manage the condition closely with your doctor. Keeping up with your regular checkups is essential in controlling symptoms and protecting your health. Continue taking medications as directed and contact your doctor with any questions or concerns about managing your condition.

Houston Methodist is doing telehealth visits and video visits to help patients feel more comfortable and reduce exposure. Ask your doctor for recommendations before going in for appointments and consider having medications sent directly to your home so you don’t have to make extra trips to the pharmacy.

LUNG CANCER SCREENING

A respiratory condition that often goes undetected until it spreads is lung cancer. That’s why staying on track with lung cancer screening is important. If you’re a current or former smoker, ask your doctor about lung cancer screening.

Who Should Get Tested?

Testing may be recommended if you meet the following criteria: Age 55-77 years

No current signs or symptoms of lung cancer

Tobacco smoking history of at least 30 pack-years (calculated by multiplying the number of packs smoked per day by the number of years smoked) Current smoker or former smoker, who has quit within the last 15 years Have not had a chest CT scan in the last year

Make an Appointment

A written order is required for all lung cancer screening procedures. Request an order or schedule an appointment by calling 713.441.LUNG (5864). Visit houstonmethodist.org/lung-screening for more information.

PROTECT YOUR LUNGS EVERY DAY Here are steps you can take to help keep your lungs healthy:

1Get regular exercise. Being physically active can increase lung capacity and improve lung function. Exercising makes your heart and lungs work harder, which increases oxygen and improves circulation around the lungs. Any form of exercise that involves taking deep breaths can help improve your lung capacity.

2Quit smoking and vaping. Smoking irritates the airways and impairs lung function. Vaping releases chemicals that also cause long-term damage to the lungs. Smoking and vaping can lead to lung cancer and COPD, and worsen complications due to COVID-19 or other serious respiratory infections. “It’s never too late to quit,” said Abu-Shahin. “You can still benefit from quitting smoking regardless of your age. If you’ve already been diagnosed with a smoking-related illness, including cancer, quitting smoking can help.” Talk to your doctor about getting support to quit smoking.

3Minimize exposure to allergens. Allergens can trigger respiratory problems and other issues. Keep allergies in check and improve indoor air quality with these tips: Avoid mold spores Control dust mites Keep surfaces in home clean and uncluttered Minimize pet dander Prevent pollen from getting inside by keeping windows and doors closed Ventilate when using products with strong chemical odors

STAY HEALTHY “Following good respiratory habits will help to keep you and your family safer,” said Abu-Shahin. Stay vigilant with these tips to prevent the spread of illness: Stay home from work or school if you feel sick Practice social distancing Get a flu shot Wear a cloth mask in public Wash hands often Wipe down frequently touched surfaces