Some facts relating to viral lung diseases

Viral diseases are the most commonly known complications that affect the human lungs. Before its entry into the lung, viruses are known to cause infections in the upper respiratory part. Some of the common infections caused by the virus include Pneumonia, Bronchiolitis, and Interstitial Lung Disease. The later emerged viral infections have more potency to cause larger outbreaks of severe respiratory diseases. The infections usually occur during the winter and the viral often spreads via transmission process due to sneezing and coughing.

Bronchiolitis is a kind of inflammation attacking the membrane linings in the bronchioles. Various viruses like respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, or flu virus are involved for carrying out this kind of inflammation. This type of disorder is generally seen in young children and infants. Congesting nose is the starting associated symptoms that can further proceed to affect the lungs and cause symptoms of bronchiolitis. The symptoms linked to this disorder is felt in the form of croaky cough, breathing rapidly, wheezing, low levels of oxygen in the blood stream, retractions, and hypoaxia. The complication of illness with this disorder will last for one to two days, and in severe cases the extending period could be up to 14 days.

Pneumonia is yet another serious ailment included in the same category of viral infection and is triggered by infectious virus. This is linked to the abnormal inflammation disorder of the lung. However, infections in the lung can creep up due to innumerous reasons including fungi or parasites, bacterial infections, chemical or physical injury to the lungs and many more. However, viral infection has a great impact on the lungs and comes on the top list. Viral pneumonia is milder when compared to the bacterial infection. The symptoms attached with it include cough accompanying phlegm, chills and fevers. It also shows the symptoms through breathing shortness, rapid breathing, pleurisy, retractions, fatigue and muscle aches.

Viral Pneumonia along with the bacteria will take the problem further making it even more severe. This ultimately proceeds further to bring about the accumulation of fluids that could be hazardous. The accumulated fluid should be drained out through the means of surgery. We all know that pneumonia is a leading cause of death in children under the age of five. The blood in the sputum or discoloration is seen with the sufferers of pneumonia. Chest pain is another syndrome observed in patients with the attack of pneumonia. The other associated signals with it include headache, muscle pain, worsening cough, and many more.

Interstitial lung disease is known to attack interstitium area of the lungs. It is associated with the burning sensations taking place in the supportive tissues amidst of air sacs. The kind of complication leads to scarring process of the tissues thereby greatly affecting the supply of oxygen into the blood.

This is a guest post by irvine lampson (consultant physician and health expert) for genericpillmart.com.

It's not too late to get your flu shot, and getting it could not only help yourself and your family but your neighbors

It's not too late to get your flu shot, even though the flu has hit earlier and more broadly than usual, experts say.

It generally takes about two weeks for a flu vaccine to be most effective, said Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Getting the shot in mid-January might seem too late, but it's "better late than never," he said during a teleconference Friday.

The CDC says the flu has been widespread in Kentucky for more than five weeks, far more than last year. "Most of the country is seeing a lot of flu, and this may continue for several weeks," Frieden said. "We don't know if we are over the peak."

Getting a flu shot can protect your neighbors, too. The protection afforded by the current vaccine is an important tool in protecting the health of the general public. The flu can be serious, especially in senior citizens, those with other chronic health problems and children. This season's outbreak has led to the deaths of 20 children as of Friday.

The CDC has found that the current flu vaccine is 62 percent effective, meaning if you get vaccinated, "You are 62 percent less likely to get the flu," writes Mary Meehan of the Lexington Herald-Leader.

It is also important that people with flu symptoms seek treatment. Anti-virals such as Tamiflu can be effective in reducing the most serious symptoms, Frieden said. "If you get flu-like symptoms, it can really help you avoid serious illness, hospitalization or even death," he said.

Meehan's story includes advice for dealing with children and tips about how to avoid getting the flu. To read it, click here.

UPDATE: In response to the flu, the University of Kentucky today limited visitation at its hospitals: None will be under 18 or have any flu-like symptoms, and only two will be allowed in a patient’s room at a time. Visitors may be issued masks or other protective clothing, and other restrictions may be imposed in special care units such as women’s and children’s units, critical care and oncology units. "Compassionate visitation exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis," a UK release said.

CDC director: Flu season is three weeks early, could be a bad one

Prepare for a bad flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control, this flu season seems to be ahead of schedule if you use the last decade as any judge of when the season should begin, which is usually around Christmas. Suspected cases have already showed up in Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, with two infant deaths already having been reported. (Getty Images)

Dr. Thomas Frieden, CDC director, sees good news in that fact that the nation seems well prepared this year. He told the Associated Press that more than a third of Americans have been vaccinated and that the vaccine is well matched to the strains of flu seen so far. (Read more)

Cold & Flu Season Got In The Way

The 2012 Cold & Flu Season has kept me MIA for a while now.  I wanted to do a quick post just in case you were wondering where I have been or if I am still alive. I'm alive, but not well, and have been in bed mostly.

It started with our little guy getting sick.  School has been the culprit. I was next. Generally, I take something at the onset of sickness. I've tried preparations like Emergen-C, Airborne, Zicam, and most recently Oscillococcinum.  It seems to have worked for me in the past but I was never quite sure if if was all in my head.  This time I didn't take anything early on because I didn't have any on hand.  Big mistake.  I am STILL sick. I am on the mend but it is still lingering.  I am never usually sick enough to miss work but this time my illness kept me at home in bed.  I missed 3 days of work.  I wasn't well enough to even WANT to be online. I did not touch my computer.  YES, too sick to prop myself up and crack open the laptop.  I have so much catch up work both at the office and as far as online projects.  We missed our Disneyland & Knott's Berry Farm trips since I was sick.  I hope that you all are staying healthy!

No way to know how serious flu season will be this year; get your vaccine, which will be available soon, officials say

There is no way of predicting how far-reaching the flu will be this season, but this year's vaccine should be available soon, officials with the Kentucky Department for Public Health said today.

"As soon as you get the immunizations you can start administering them," Sherri Coles, Kentucky Vaccine Program assistant coordinator, told a physician during today's webinar on the subject.

Last flu season was very mild, particularly compared to the one before it, when the H1N1 flu virus was first found here. About 22,400 people nationwide were confirmed to have the flu last season. There were 26 lab-confirmed pediatric deaths caused by flu, but none were in Kentucky. Flu activity was only widespread for five weeks in Kentucky last season, in March and April.

Flu shots are recommended for everyone from 6 months of age and older. Children 6 months to 8 years of age getting the vaccine for the first time should get two doses administered at least one month apart.

The flu can be treated with antiviral drugs, Coles said, which can "lesson the symptoms and shorten the time you are sick by one or two days." The drugs should be taken within two days of getting sick, though starting them later can still be helpful for people who have a pre-existing health condition or are very sick from the flu. Tamiflu and Relenza are the two kinds of antiviral drugs available. Relenza can only be taken by people who do not have breathing problems like asthma or COPD.

How to Stay Flu-Free for the Holidays

The overlap of the cold and flu season with the holiday season can make it a challenge to stay healthy as you go to parties and get together with family and friends.

Getting a flu shot is important, but other precautions can also reduce your risk of getting sick or of spreading illness to others, according to a Ryerson University news release.

Here are some tips for a healthy holiday:

• When you have to cough or sneeze, do it in your sleeve or the inside of your sweater or jacket. That will prevent the spread of viruses to those nearby.
• Wash your hands regularly and always after using the restroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose.
• Use the air kiss or fake peck on the cheek instead of a kiss on the lips when greeting family and friends.
• Always use serving spoons or forks never your fingers to put food on your plate. If you're hosting a party, be sure to supply plenty of serving utensils and provide people with alternatives to reaching into bowls, such as making individual servings.
• Find creative ways to personalize cups so that people don't accidentally mix them up. Don't serve beverages in their original containers because people might get confused about which bottle or can belongs to them.
• Carry hand sanitizer with you and use it before you eat any food or touch your face, particularly your nose and mouth. This will help protect you against viruses you may have picked up from doorknobs, shopping cart handles, handrails and faucets.
• When you attend religious services, try to stay three to six feet away from others and don't share the communion wine goblet. Instead of shaking hands and hugging, use a friendly wave or elbow tap to greet others.
• Make sure you get adequate sleep, which is important for keeping your immune system strong.
• If you develop a cold or flu, stay at home until you feel better.

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about preventing the flu.