1. < Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19

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.

alamogal635 | @alamogal635 | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @aeg73 "@alamogal635 Yikes, that's scary first testing negative and then positive? I'm in NH and NH and..." + (show)
@aeg73

@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.

Jump to this post

@aeg73 I agree with you. I was thinking that self-quarantine would be difficult to follow up on as well as checking to see if they have had testing. Hope those who traveled to Italy will be all right. The Corona Virus will show up more because of those who don't show symptoms, or have very mild cases will have no idea they are ill with a cold, or feel fine. The younger ones tend to have lighter cases from what I've read. Anyway, I think it is we--the older community that must take the utmost care so as to avoid this virus because we are much more capable of having the virus turn into pneumonia or other secondary illnesses. I pray for all. Thank heavens we are getting more tests and several companies have now developed vaccines that will hopefully help once the testing and trials are done. Yes, that was something with the woman getting out of quarantine and then finding she tested for the virus after her third test. I have heard no more about her, or others coming down with Corona Virus here in town.

REPLY
1 reply
aeg73 | @aeg73 | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @alamogal635 "@aeg73 I agree with you. I was thinking that self-quarantine would be difficult to follow up..." + (show)
@alamogal635

@aeg73 I agree with you. I was thinking that self-quarantine would be difficult to follow up on as well as checking to see if they have had testing. Hope those who traveled to Italy will be all right. The Corona Virus will show up more because of those who don't show symptoms, or have very mild cases will have no idea they are ill with a cold, or feel fine. The younger ones tend to have lighter cases from what I've read. Anyway, I think it is we--the older community that must take the utmost care so as to avoid this virus because we are much more capable of having the virus turn into pneumonia or other secondary illnesses. I pray for all. Thank heavens we are getting more tests and several companies have now developed vaccines that will hopefully help once the testing and trials are done. Yes, that was something with the woman getting out of quarantine and then finding she tested for the virus after her third test. I have heard no more about her, or others coming down with Corona Virus here in town.

Jump to this post

I feel like the general consensus is no big deal only old people which in itself is just awful to say/think. I am 46, husband is 50 & I am dealing with Lyme symptoms with a weakened immune system based one of my blood labs so I know I may be more at risk so we pulled out kids out of school. I'd like to have more faith but I simply just don't, as either people won't know or won't care enough.

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 10, 2020

@aeg73- It is also flu season too so that's a double whammy and I'd probably pull my kids out of school too. I've had Lyme 3 times plus another one at the same time. It's no cakewalk for sure. Is your immune system weakened because of another illness other than Lyme? Have you considered getting tested for this virus? Do you have any cases of the Covid-19 near you or in your community?

REPLY
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Mar 10, 2020

I just came upon this video Q & A.

Tue, Mar 10, 2020
2:30pm to 3:00pm CT

Video Q&A - Do you have questions about COVID-19?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/webinar/video-qa-do-you-have-questions-about-covid-19/

REPLY
Merry, Alumni Mentor | @merpreb | Mar 10, 2020

@rosemarya- Thank you. These doctors are pediatricians. Will the q & A be just about children and the virus?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@rosemarya- Thank you. These doctors are pediatricians. Will the q & A be just about children..." + (show)
@merpreb

@rosemarya- Thank you. These doctors are pediatricians. Will the q & A be just about children and the virus?

Jump to this post

@merpreb, Merry, I don't know. But, if you click on the link that I shared, there is a place for questions.

REPLY
JK | @contentandwell | 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

Hi, @roseofonegarden Welcome to Connect.
I do get feverish if I am very sick. When I had Legionnaire's Disease in 2017 my temperature went up to 104. My temp tends to run slightly high though. I heard on the news this morning that the respiratory symptoms are more down in your lungs than higher up, in your throat. Being in your lungs it does tend to cause shortness of breath. That is not 100% though. At our ages (I am 72) if something seems like it could possibly be anything then I think you should call your doctor. I am also on immunosuppressants so I feel very vulnerable.

@peach414144 I am sorry this happened to you, and glad you managed to survive it and still be here. That must have been a terrible ordeal.

@aeg73 @alamogal635 Self quarantining is very tough from what I have heard. I know someone who lives in one of the coastal towns (I am in NH also) who felt sick and was tested. She had to self-quarantine until the test results came back and she said it was really difficult. She has two young children. She tested negative.
JK

REPLY
aeg73 | @aeg73 | Mar 10, 2020

Thanks @merpreb Merry. I've been trying to get the Lyme and/or other mysteries figured out since last May when I returned from Costa Rica . I now believe I was most likely infected in US, October 2018 when I had a strange round rash on my elbow (no bullseye), shortly after got diagnosed with Frozen Shoulder in same arm and was a grueling journey in itself all of last year with those pains/limitations but on top of it other strange symptoms began: pressure headache, neck-ache, hair loss, tender gland near my ear/throat same side as arm, then in late winter of last year in Costa Rica my other arm began to hurt, I had sore quads (more in one same side as frozen shoulder), weight loss, then got weird pulse like twitches that haven't gone away (were worse May until Sept) now lessened a bit. Through all of this and possibly connected, my sleep has been very poor/disturbed. I assume in part due to pains and pulse like twitches so I never feel well rested. Rheumatologist doesn't think it's RA, Lupus or Fibro- not enough pain points, no swelling or red joints, etc. but man I'm not the body or self I used to be. Hoping that is not my forever normal. Getting Igenex test tomorrow, one band shy of CDC positive for Lyme on a different test.

REPLY
3 replies
roseofonegarden | @roseofonegarden | Mar 10, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@roseofonegarden- Welcome to Mayo Connect. Fever is one of the major symptoms of the virus. The..." + (show)
@merpreb

@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?

Jump to this post

Hi JK! Thankfully I do not have any symptoms and plan on staying at home a lot. However my daughter and her family have to be out and about a lot so I would not be surprised to get it.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.