Protect Lungs From Flu and Pneumonia: Seasonal Care Tips

The monsoon season can be a welcome respite from the high heat of the summer months but it also brings along a variety of infections which spread rather easily and quickly, due to the high amounts of humidity and generally poor awareness of how most of these pathogens get transmitted. Viral infections can be thought of as one of the major players in this category, with millions of people getting infected with different kinds of viral infections. Flu viruses are aplenty and even getting vaccinated once a year does not guarantee that you will stay flu-free for the rest of the year. While flu symptoms seem to come and go, it is important to know when to get medical help and when it can be severe enough to warrant hospitalisation. So, let us learn about flu and viral pneumonia in this blog. 

Seasonal Flu Protection Tips

Seasonal flu can be the bane of our existence- because they are annoying, there is no medication, and you end up feeling miserable, but not so bad that you have to take a few days off. That is where the rub lies- if you continue to go to work or school like that, you risk infecting other people around you- so STAY HOME AND REST! The other measures you should follow are-

• Hand hygiene is the most important thing right now- viruses spread not through air alone, but via contact with contaminated surfaces like door handles, stair railings, any rods that serve as support on public transport etc. – a sniffling person can leave millions of viruses unwittingly on such surfaces and when you touch them and then bring the hand close to your face, eyes or nose- you risk getting an infection. Wash your hands WITH SOAP, and scrub them for at least 20 seconds before washing it all off with running water. Teach children how to wash their hands the right way, and you save yourself from so many unwanted infections in the future. Hand sanitiser should only be used if no other option is available. 
• Please cough or sneeze either into a hanky, a tissue, or into your elbows and never out in the open or close to someone’s face. Air transmission of pathogens is very real. 
• Make sure you are vaccinated for flu, influenza, measles, mumps, etc., and related conditions. 
• Follow the social distancing rule now too- it is NOT a relic of the COVID era alone! Wear a mask when you go out. 
• Lastly, eat well and get enough sleep and exercise- these 3 factors will help your immune system function at its peak and keep you safe from infections. 

Pneumonia Symptoms and Care

There are times when you may have followed all of the above-mentioned precautions, but you still end up with a severe viral infection that leads to severe pneumonia in the end. This is when you need specialised medical help. Viral pneumonia can cause the air sacs in your lungs to fill with pus or fluid due to high amounts of inflammation, making it hard for you to breathe normally. Viruses that can cause pneumonia-like symptoms include- RSV, influenza, COVID-19, chickenpox or even measles (if you have not been vaccinated before. The symptoms of viral pneumonia include- 

• High fever
• Dry cough 
• Severe headache
• Muscle aches and weakness persist
• Breathlessness

The symptoms tend to get worse over a week or so, leading to severe shortness of breath. If symptoms are pretty severe, you may need oxygen therapy, and antiviral medications may be recommended. 

How to Boost Lung Immunity

Boosting immunity is easy enough in the long run- 

• The lungs are there for you to breathe, but are you breathing the right way? Deep breathing is the answer to get more oxygen into your cells, so practice that every day for a few minutes. 
• Don’t smoke or don’t inhale secondhand smoke from elsewhere. Limit exposure to fumes or chemicals that are harmful. 
• Eat good food every day- a diet that is rich in colourful veggies and fruits will give you plenty of Vitamin C and antioxidants- these will help your lung cells function better than ever!
• At home, make sure surfaces are clean and not dusty. Mites can be ever-present- so air your carpets, rugs, and bedding regularly. 
• Wash your hands often – after a trip to the loo, before eating, and after coming home in general.
• Make sure to stay up to date on your vaccination schedule- this is super important for kids. 

Conclusion

Protect lungs from flu and pneumonia by taking care of them in simple but strategic ways- like eating well, reducing inhalation of pollutants or fumes, and wearing a mask when you go out. Most of these infections can be prevented- so be smart about doing that, instead of worrying about a cure later on!

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