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...
What's Going Around: Pneumonia, emphysema, stomach flu
by Ginger ten Bensel
Story Created: Dec 12, 2011 CST
(
Story Updated: Dec 12, 2011 at 6:52 PM CST )
More illnesses are in the air. Pneumonia has put several people in the hospital in central Nebraska. Here's what's going around this week.
Doctor Michael Johnson with the Hastings Family Practice says that pneumonia is the main illness going around. Pneumonia can be viral or bacterial.
Dr. Johnson says that anyone over the age of 65 should have a pneumonia shot.
He also says that younger people with chronic illnesses including heart disease, lung disease or diabetes need to make sure they get a shot as well.
Emphysema also flares up this time of year. Dr. Johnson has seen several cases of emphysema in the past few days. He says that cold and infection can trigger the illness.
Doctor Michael Janich with the Kearney Clinic says that some of his patients have been out shoveling snow in the cold weather and they have come down with an upper respiratory infection.
He says if you are outside make sure your nose and mouth are covered.
Doctor Janice Kutilek with the Grand Island Clinic says there's also a stomach virus going around.
This illness comes with vomiting, diarrhea and a fever.
The vomiting may last up to twenty four hours and the illness can last two to four days.
Hydration is vital. Small children younger than the age of two need to drink pedialyte and older children and adults should drink liquids with electrolytes.
Kutilek says that now is the time of year to immunize your child for rotavirus.
It's most common in children under the age of two.
She hasn't seen any cases of the illness this season, but symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Babies should get immunized for the virus.
Remember to protect your self as much as possible from illnesses
Lets remember to keep our hands clean, use hand sanitizer when needed.
This is about whats happening in Nebraska but as you all know illnesses like this move across the country and world as people travel...
Stay well my friends.
Love Holly
by Ginger ten Bensel
Story Created: Dec 12, 2011 CST
(
Story Updated: Dec 12, 2011 at 6:52 PM CST )
More illnesses are in the air. Pneumonia has put several people in the hospital in central Nebraska. Here's what's going around this week.
Doctor Michael Johnson with the Hastings Family Practice says that pneumonia is the main illness going around. Pneumonia can be viral or bacterial.
Dr. Johnson says that anyone over the age of 65 should have a pneumonia shot.
He also says that younger people with chronic illnesses including heart disease, lung disease or diabetes need to make sure they get a shot as well.
Emphysema also flares up this time of year. Dr. Johnson has seen several cases of emphysema in the past few days. He says that cold and infection can trigger the illness.
Doctor Michael Janich with the Kearney Clinic says that some of his patients have been out shoveling snow in the cold weather and they have come down with an upper respiratory infection.
He says if you are outside make sure your nose and mouth are covered.
Doctor Janice Kutilek with the Grand Island Clinic says there's also a stomach virus going around.
This illness comes with vomiting, diarrhea and a fever.
The vomiting may last up to twenty four hours and the illness can last two to four days.
Hydration is vital. Small children younger than the age of two need to drink pedialyte and older children and adults should drink liquids with electrolytes.
Kutilek says that now is the time of year to immunize your child for rotavirus.
It's most common in children under the age of two.
She hasn't seen any cases of the illness this season, but symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Babies should get immunized for the virus.
Remember to protect your self as much as possible from illnesses
Lets remember to keep our hands clean, use hand sanitizer when needed.
This is about whats happening in Nebraska but as you all know illnesses like this move across the country and world as people travel...
Stay well my friends.
Love Holly
I have one friend with pneumonia and another with a severe bad throat and cough. Its the time of year we all have to be extra cautious.
Take care all and breathe easy.
Hope everyone did get their flu shot in good time.
One very important defense is to make sure you wash your hands as much as possible. Especially after shopping. Not all stores provide a sanitizer for their shopping carts. So, carry hand sanitizer in the glove box of your car. Or in your purse or pocket when with someone else. BE SURE TO USE IT whenever needed. And, once again (I just love being redundant, but,) Wash your hands as often as possible!
It may sound silly, a leftover from childhood days, but it definitelyt will cut down incidence of respiratory illness.
Avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth is also quite important, until hands have been washed, especially after a supermarket shop or any shop really, handling coins etc. etc.
I also carry the sanitising gel with me, its a good tip, its good to use when eating out with friends in public restaurant or coffee shops also.
Keep well this season all.