What People With COPD Need To Know About Other Lung Conditions
COPD can raise your risk for other lung diseases and make infections more serious. Here’s how to stay ahead of complications.
If you have COPD, it’s important to know how it may interact with other health conditions — especially those that affect your lungs.
You may be more vulnerable to:
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Lung infections like pneumonia, the flu, and COVID
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Other chronic diseases such as asthma, lung cancer, or pulmonary fibrosis
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With COPD, your lungs are already under stress. A new infection or condition can make breathing much harder and take longer to recover from. In some cases, it can lead to hospitalization. Luckily, these tips can help you protect yourself:
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Stay up to date on vaccines, including flu, COVID, pneumonia, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
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Avoid smoke and pollution, which can make symptoms worse.
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Practice good hygiene, like frequent handwashing.
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Report new symptoms early, especially increased coughing, shortness of breath, or mucus.
Talk with your doctor about your personal risk and how to watch for early warning signs. The better you understand your lung health, the more prepared you’ll be to manage it.
