11/6/2009 6:00:00 AM
Letter: COPD patients must be extra careful
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I am a nurse from Maine who spent last winter in Kingman working at Kingman Regional Medical Center and I loved it. I have fond memories the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients from the Better Breathers Club. As the flu season approaches, I find myself worrying about my friends there.
The H1N1 virus is making headlines around the world, and everywhere, the message seems to be that it is a disease of the young.
And while it is true that it is affecting the children and pregnant women in unexpected ways, it is still true that the flu, on top of chronic lung disease, is a very bad combination.
Don't be lulled into complacency, friends. There are two flus out there, the regular seasonal flu and H1N1, and you need to be ready.
If you have chronic lung disease, such as COPD which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, please take these simple steps to stay healthy:
• Wash hands often and avoid germs.
• Keep COPD symptoms under control.
• Make a doctor's appointment if symptoms get worse.
• Create and follow a COPD action plan, written instructions for handling symptoms.
• Follow the doctor's orders, take medication as prescribed.
• Keep an extra supply of COPD medication.
• Get the seasonal flu shot and H1N1 flu shot.
And for family and friends of persons with COPD, be extra careful not to get your loved one sick. If you even think you are coming down with something (the early stages can be highly contagious), have a nice, long, loving phone conversation and skip the visit for now.
For more information about COPD and H1N1, as well as other COPD-related topics, visit the COPD Coalition's Web site at www.BreatheEasyAz.org.
Mary Callahan
Maine
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