Strategies to avoid COPD complications during cold and flu season

If you have COPD, you know just how serious flare-ups can be: the coughing and wheezing, the difficulty breathing, and shortness of breath. That’s why you want to be extra vigilant during cold and flu season. A common cold can make symptoms worse and even potentially put you at risk of a serious lung condition, such as pneumonia.

The good news? There are ways to lower your risk of getting sick. Protect yourself this season with four simple strategies.

Strategy #1: Get a flu shot and a pneumonia shot 

Everyone 6 months or older should get a flu shot every year. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself from the flu virus and related complications, says Michael Jhung, M.D., associate director for epidemiologic science in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Influenza Division.

His advice? Aim to get vaccinated in September or October, before the virus starts spreading in your community. Protection kicks in about two weeks after getting the shot. Did you miss that window? Still get vaccinated. Flu season stretches through the spring, so the ongoing protection will help.  

Another smart tip if you’re 65 or older: Ask your doctor about the “senior flu shot.” These flu shots for people ages 65 and older contain either a higher dose or an extra ingredient to help weakened immune systems mount a stronger response to the vaccine. Your doctor can help you decide if one of these three options is right for you:

• High-dose flu vaccine (Fluzone High-Dose) contains four times the amount of flu virus antigen, which is the part that sparks the immune system.
• Recombinant flu vaccine (Flublok Trivalent) does not use the flu virus or chicken eggs in the manufacturing process.
• Adjuvanted flu vaccine (Fluad) contains an adjuvant, an ingredient added to the vaccine to help create a stronger immune response.

If you get one of these shots, you may experience mild side effects, such as headaches, muscle aches, or redness or swelling at the injection site. These usually resolve within one to three days.

People with COPD should also get a pneumonia shot. Not all pneumonia vaccines are the same, and they have different guidelines. Check with your doctor to find out which pneumonia shot is right for you.

Strategy #2: Keep your hands clean 

Do your best to avoid touching things in public that everyone else touches. If you can’t avoid it, wash your hands. You can also keep antibacterial gels and wipes in your pocket or purse for situations when it’s not possible to wash your hands.

Some best practices for keeping your hands clean:

• Scrub your hands with soap and water for as long as it takes you to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.  
• Keep your phone, TV remote, and other items you touch frequently sanitized.  
• Carry your own pen, to avoid having to use communal ones when you’re out.  

Strategy #3: Avoid crowds 

Family gatherings, holiday shopping, and other classic seasonal activities are hard to beat. During cold and flu season though, it’s best to limit mingling with people who may be sick.

If you’re going somewhere where people might share germs, keep your visit brief. Go to the mall or the movies during off-hours. Cold germs are especially common among little kids, so be sure to wash your hands after spending time with them.

Strategy #4: Monitor your symptoms

If you do catch a cold, you might see changes in your COPD symptoms, including:

• Increased shortness of breath
• Blood in the mucus, or a change in color
• An increased amount of mucus
• Increased coughing
• Lack of sleep

If you feel short of breath or your mucus changes color, call your doctor right away. And if your symptoms don’t get better after 72 hours, don’t tough it out. Contact your health care team to find out what to do next. The sooner you do, the sooner you can get back to feeling like yourself again.