Having Lung Disease – Few Things to Know About COVID-19 Precautions

Given the evidence, p0atients with impaired or compromised lung conditions (COPD, asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis) are at particular risk for COVID-19 with worse outcomes.

Here in this blog, we will discuss few precautions/steps to help you stay safe from the Covid-19 and to seek help quickly if you notice early signs and symptoms of the coronavirus disease.

1. Firstly, know how Covid-19 spreads

We all know now that how Covid-19 spreads – getting in close contact with infected people; touching the contaminated surfaces and the touching your face, eyes or mouth. But there are specific guidelines for patients who are living with lung diseases from the official government body. So apart from general guidelines you need to take a few additional precautions:

• If you use oxygen, wipe down the tubing and cannula with alcohol regularly.
• Take extra tubing and cannulas with you when you go out.
• Avoid setting your portable oxygen concentrator or tanks on the floor or any other surface.

2. Prepare you household because you should now step outside unless necessary

Having lung disease makes you the most vulnerable and it is highly recommended that you stay at home as much as possible irrespective of any age. Here’re some precautional tips:

• Stock up essential groceries and other items.
• Get proper planned supply of your medicinal prescriptions. You can take local pharmacy help or even neighbors or even other family members.
• Keep important phone numbers handy including your consulting pulmonologist.

3. Understand you “normal”

If you are living with lung disease or any lung conditions, it is highly important that you know your normal numbers and events due to your lung disease. Such as:

• Levels of oxygen use
• Types and frequency of cough you experience due to lung disease
• Resting oxygen saturation numbers
• Usual level of shortness of breath
• Frequency of rescue inhaler use

You can then be able to identify the potential signs and symptoms of Covid-19 infections by comparing your new symptoms and evaluating any changes, such as:

• Increased reliance on oxygen
• New type of increase coughing
• Increased shortness of breath, as compared to your normal
• Increased use of rescue inhalers
• Fever, including a low-grade fever of 99°F
• Lower-than-usual resting oxygen saturation numbers

4. Focus on your well-being: Need of an hour

Keeping as active as possible and focusing on your emotional health can help you cope better during this stressful time.

• Do your regular exercise as much as possible
• Get outdoors for fresh air and sunshine while avoiding crowds and staying at least 6 feet away from other people
• Devote time to hobbies, crafts or indoor games
• Eat healthy avoiding all the junkies
• Get enough sleep

Wrapping up…

Living with lung disease during the Covid-19 pandemic, can add a great deal of physical and emotional stress to your life. But remember we don’t need to be afraid and should seek help without any hesitation.

Stay connected with family and friends digitally by engaging yourself with video calls or voice calls. Of course, you also can call your consultant pulmonologist with any questions related to your health.

If you have any lung disease and experience any of these potential signs of COVID-19, and looking for a consultant pulmonologist in Ahmedabad – call us or drop a message.