COPD & Emphysema Support Group

COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...

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Sabrinabar06 01/10/2013

I know that the flu is dangerous for COPD patients....but, is the common cold equally dangerous?
My dad has sore throat and a runny nose. Could that cause an exacerbation? He got his flu and pneumonia vaccine.

deleted_user 01/10/2013

I have the same exact thing and am very worried about getting the flu. Waiting to hear some replies on this post. Hoping it's just a cold and not the beginning of the dreaded flu

deleted_user 01/10/2013

Sabrina, I never seem to get a cold, whenever I catch something, it almost immediately turns to pneumonia. So I am extremely careful when the flu is floating around. Take care, and watch your Dad closely for the next few days. Bill.

deleted_user 01/10/2013

Whether it be a cold or the flu - or any respiratory ailment, it's dangerous for us. They reduce our lung capacity, putting us in extreme jeopardy. Even after we recover, our lungs usually lose some capacity.
Heres a page with some info: http://www.webmd.com/lung/copd/emphysema-chronic_bronchitis-colds

Take care,
Dennis

snowlady 01/11/2013

I also have a bad cold with a cough. I am also concerned about the flu. Any advice besides rest.

deleted_user 01/11/2013

Dennis, That is a helpful website. Thank you.

I've been worried about colds lately too and I am overdue for my blood work for the Coumadin but I will just have to trust that it is stable enough since I refuse to go to my PCP's office where there are always sick people all around me. Flu season is so bad here that I'm being very self protective these days!!

Hugs, Cindy

jarca 01/11/2013

just before thanksgiving i got the worse sore throat i had in years and my nose was so plugged up! i don't know if it was flu or cold, but due to thanksgiving plans i got right into dr, got antibiotic shot AND pills and was stupid & traveled.
it just got worse & i've gone through 3 rounds of antibiotics to now be feeling good again.
whatever it was, i would suggest seeing the dr. because as soon as i got the shot i started hacking up & blowing out green (i know, gross) it was like everything was "stuck" inside me and the shot and antibiotics loosened everything up so i could start getting it out of my lungs.
be careful....this was my experience & i can only speak for me :)
this is first time someone has mentioned the sore throat so i thought i just had something weird that just i got LOL

Sabrinabar06 01/11/2013

Actually, the sore throat is gone and he just has a runny nose, that's getting better. Hopefully, that will be the end of that. Have a nice weekend!

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