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COVID-19 Coronavirus and Lung Health: What can you do?

Posted by Merry, Alumni Mentor @merpreb, Mar 1, 2020

Good morning- I have hesitated to post anything about this new and dangerous group of viruses because I am certainly not qualified to discuss any science. And certainly not about genetics and viruses. But I can discuss how we can lessen our fears, be as prepared as we can and very simply if we get it, what do we do?

First of all the COVID-19 is the name for many similar viruses. It's not just one. It is believed to have started by bat guana in Wuhan, China. Wuhan is the very large capital of Central China’s Hubei province. It is a commercial center divided by the Yangtze and Han rivers. This virus spread very quickly, perhaps like the flu. And because of travel. it is spreading throughout the world, and it is here in America. This is a group of very dangerous viruses has the potential to kill and has. Many of us with breathing problems must be very diligent to protect ourselves as much as we can.

You can help protect yourself by doing these things:

Keep your hands clean. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Cover your cough and sneezes to keep germs from spreading to others. Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces routinely. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home when you are sick.

If you have these symptoms please see a doctor: Fever, Cough, Shortness of breath

I know that a lot of us have at least two of these symptoms already. So if your shortness of breath or your coughs become worse and you feel ill then it is time to seek medical help.

Here are several sites that have addressed the Coronavirus for more information.

If you know of anyone who is ill please stay away from them. Passing along the facts about this group of viruses is the best that you can do to help others avoid getting ill.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 9, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "Good morning -I know that we can't avoid germs but we can be very cautious given..." + (show)
@merpreb

Good morning -I know that we can't avoid germs but we can be very cautious given the latest stats on the virus, the US has 500 confirmed cases. If you need to fly please wipe everything down and don't go into the pocket on the back of the seat in front of you, even to read the magazine.
Please read this: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/why-you-should-never-use-your-seat-back-pocket-on-a-plane-according-to-a-flight-attendant/ar-BB10Me53?li=BBnbfcL

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New from the CDC: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/03/08/state-department-cruise-ship-travel/?itid=hp_hp-top-table-main_virusledeall-920pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory-ans

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JK | @contentandwell | Mar 9, 2020

This is a pretty good article about whether or not you should consider canceling travel plans. I think this question on it is one many of us do not think about.
"Would your regret be manageable if you or a family member caught COVID-19?"
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=228732&ecd=mnl_day_030920
JK

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roseofonegarden | @roseofonegarden | Mar 9, 2020

Thank you for all that information. As a 75 yr old with diabetes I know that I am at risk for not only Covid-19 but also other infectious diseases and I have a question. I stopped getting fevers by age 12 and just read that up to 20% of adults never get fevers. Since one major criterion for getting tested or self-isolating for Covid-19 is a fever, how bad should cough and shortness of breath be to recommend a test and are there other indications that would alert us.

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3 replies
Brenda R. | @brigby | Mar 9, 2020
In reply to @roseofonegarden "Thank you for all that information. As a 75 yr old with diabetes I know that..." + (show)
@roseofonegarden

Thank you for all that information. As a 75 yr old with diabetes I know that I am at risk for not only Covid-19 but also other infectious diseases and I have a question. I stopped getting fevers by age 12 and just read that up to 20% of adults never get fevers. Since one major criterion for getting tested or self-isolating for Covid-19 is a fever, how bad should cough and shortness of breath be to recommend a test and are there other indications that would alert us.

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GREAT point. My “normal” basal body temp is 97.0, if I get to 98.3, I feel feverish. Try explaining that one to your average health professional! FINALLY Stanford University verified in a recent study average body temp is falling, and people who are very fit and healthy tend to have lower average body temp.

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2 replies
roseofonegarden | @roseofonegarden | Mar 9, 2020
In reply to @brigby "GREAT point. My “normal” basal body temp is 97.0, if I get to 98.3, I feel..." + (show)
@brigby

GREAT point. My “normal” basal body temp is 97.0, if I get to 98.3, I feel feverish. Try explaining that one to your average health professional! FINALLY Stanford University verified in a recent study average body temp is falling, and people who are very fit and healthy tend to have lower average body temp.

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Thanks! You really hit on the crux of the issue. Many health professionals do not really consider a feverless person to be sick even with other symptoms.

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peach414144 | @peach414144 | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @brigby "GREAT point. My “normal” basal body temp is 97.0, if I get to 98.3, I feel..." + (show)
@brigby

GREAT point. My “normal” basal body temp is 97.0, if I get to 98.3, I feel feverish. Try explaining that one to your average health professional! FINALLY Stanford University verified in a recent study average body temp is falling, and people who are very fit and healthy tend to have lower average body temp.

Jump to this post

Yes, you are correct. My normal body temperature is also as yours 97.0. When I had a UTI and went to the ER my temperature was 99 and to them this was not considered a temp. Eventually I went into septicemia. Big story as this 82 year old lady am very, very lucky to be alive. (Boy did I suffer). Am still healing as it takes two years to recover.

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2 replies
sistertwo | @sistertwo | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @peach414144 "Yes, you are correct. My normal body temperature is also as yours 97.0. When I had..." + (show)
@peach414144

Yes, you are correct. My normal body temperature is also as yours 97.0. When I had a UTI and went to the ER my temperature was 99 and to them this was not considered a temp. Eventually I went into septicemia. Big story as this 82 year old lady am very, very lucky to be alive. (Boy did I suffer). Am still healing as it takes two years to recover.

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Congratulations on recovering! Keep being strong.

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Brenda R. | @brigby | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @peach414144 "Yes, you are correct. My normal body temperature is also as yours 97.0. When I had..." + (show)
@peach414144

Yes, you are correct. My normal body temperature is also as yours 97.0. When I had a UTI and went to the ER my temperature was 99 and to them this was not considered a temp. Eventually I went into septicemia. Big story as this 82 year old lady am very, very lucky to be alive. (Boy did I suffer). Am still healing as it takes two years to recover.

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@peach414144 so sorry!

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aeg73 | @aeg73 | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @alamogal635 "Good information. Thank you. Here in San Antonio we have/had people who were quarantined and kept..." + (show)
@alamogal635

Good information. Thank you. Here in San Antonio we have/had people who were quarantined and kept here at Joint Base San Antonio. Most are all right now. Those who are are ina special motel that has been bought by Joint Base San Antonio. On a woman who tested negative twice for the virus went via bus to a major mall here and then it was found the third time, she tested positive for the virus. Even with that, we have had no cases here. We seem blessed that the virus hasn't nit here. We hall see what happens.

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@alamogal635 Yikes, that's scary first testing negative and then positive? I'm in NH and NH and many other states have kids & some adult chaperones, parents etc that traveled to Italy during school break recently. Our district asked the kids to stay home but who knows if they are self quarantining and or had any testing, we just know they aren't showing symptoms last told. What's concerning is if not self quarantining or asymptomatic they are in contact with family members who did go to school. I think it's just beginning to show up due to testing availability.

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1 reply
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @roseofonegarden "Thank you for all that information. As a 75 yr old with diabetes I know that..." + (show)
@roseofonegarden

Thank you for all that information. As a 75 yr old with diabetes I know that I am at risk for not only Covid-19 but also other infectious diseases and I have a question. I stopped getting fevers by age 12 and just read that up to 20% of adults never get fevers. Since one major criterion for getting tested or self-isolating for Covid-19 is a fever, how bad should cough and shortness of breath be to recommend a test and are there other indications that would alert us.

Jump to this post

@roseofonegarden- Welcome to Mayo Connect. Fever is one of the major symptoms of the virus. The other day I felt ill too. I had a cough and it seemed that my breathing was a bit more labored. I was inundated with thoughts of this virus and I think that I emotionally caught it. Have you been ill or suspect that you have the virus? Is this why you want to get tested?

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