IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT COVID-19

For individuals with emphysema or COPD:

  • Make sure you have a 30-day supply of current medications on hand.
  • Stock up on household supplies.
  • Contact your oxygen supplier to ask what plans they have made to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in your community.
  • If you rely on a visiting nurse or aide to help you in your home, check with them to make sure they are following recommended protocols for prevention.
  • Clean and disinfect your home to remove germs: practice routine cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks & cell phones)
  • Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces. Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.
  • If COVID-19 is spreading in your community, take extra measures to put distance between yourself and other people to further reduce your risk of being exposed to this new virus.
  • Have a plan if you get sick. Consult with your health care provider for more information about monitoring your health for symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.
  • Determine who can provide you with care if your caregiver gets sick.
  • Pay attention for potential COVID-19 symptoms including, fever, cough, and shortness of breath, as well as any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
  • If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19, get medical attention immediately. In adults, notable emergency warning signs include:
    • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
    • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
    • New confusion or inability to arouse
    • Bluish lips or face
  • Some symptoms of COVID-19 may be similar to what you would experience with a COPD flare-up (exacerbation) but watch for a high fever. High-grade fevers are a common symptom of COVID-19 but is not a common symptom of COPD flare-ups.
  • If you are concerned about symptoms that are not typical when you have a flare-up, contact your doctor.
  • If you believe you may have been exposed to COVID-19 or feel like you are developing symptoms, call your doctor or ER instead of visiting. If you do have coronavirus and you visit unannounced, then you could expose others to the disease.

The CDC currently recommends the use of masks when out in public or around others.

You can also find additional information on COVID-19 and get up-to-date health information from both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and more information on CDC recommendations for those with chronic lung disease.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] and continue to visit our website here for all the latest information and updates.

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