Impact of viruses on our health?

[PW_R]

Beyond quitting smoking, do you think respiratory viruses are the single biggest factor in the progression of our diseases? Despite a fair bit of mask wearing I’ve had two since Nov & the second has taken its toll. I hear a small number of people who say they haven’t had anything in 3/4 years - is that just genetic luck? Also do people feel there disease was more stable during the lockdown (bar of course if you got a bad dose of covid)?

[Yumz199725]

I'm glad it's not just me, I have been ill since November on and off I'm still getting over a throat infection it's really hit me hard 😣. During lockdown I hardly ever got ill 🤒 but now I just can't stop getting ill well annoying sucks even more cause I'm vulnerable because of heart and lung issues x

[Ern007]

I got COVID during lockdown and that caused a cancer operation to be cancelled - THEN they gave me a new date and again it was cancelled by COVID, the surgeon had got the dammed virus.

[Souielouie in reply to Ern007]

Oh my goodness how frustrating for you & worrying. I hope you get your treatment very soon. 🥰

[Ern007 in reply to Souielouie]

Thank you, It was a while ago when I first got diagnosed, was a real comedy looking back.

[Welshcatlady in reply to Ern007]

I'm sorry to hear that Ern😢, hopefully you'll get your op soon. 🤞

[Ern007 in reply to Welshcatlady]

I got my treatment, it was after my first diagnosis and that COVID lasted for ages, could not shake it off

[Izb1]

I do think viruses leave damage each time you have one and I avoid them like the plague. I use a cold and flu block each time I go out and if its tk the gp/hospital then I wear a mask. I do a nasal rinse when I get home. I also take a daily dose of vit c/zinc. This seems to have helped alot as I havent had antibiotics in quite some time. I also think a good diet helps x

[Davegt in reply to Izb1]

Remember, antibiotics do not help with viruses anyway.

[Izb1 in reply to Davegt]

I dont know if having bronchiectsis is the problem but with a virus I always end up with an infection and need antibiotics, even a little cold that I would work through with no problem now turns serious. I do have rheumatoid so have little immunity that contributes to this. My gp knows me and it was a real pain when she was on maternity leave as the locum doctors either wouldnt prescribe antibiotics or would only give me a week which for somebody with bronch needs two. At least my gp is in for 3 days a week now so feel a but easier x

[leo60 in reply to Izb1]

You are absolutely correct! Any virus I have readily turns into an infection too, and I have been told to start my rescue pack as soon as I think it has. I have 2 packs of Doxy in stock at all times! Xx

[Izb1 in reply to leo60]

Sadly my surgery has stopped rescue packs so its pot luck if you gef timely treatment x

[leo60 in reply to Izb1]

Do you have a consultant? You could ask him/her to instruct your surgery to allow you? It’s detrimental to your lungs to have to wait! Grrrr xx

[Izb1 in reply to leo60]

The hospital discharged me saying there was nothing more they could do for me x

[Caspiana]

Hi there. For people with lung disease the damaged airways do not regenerate. So getting a virus / infection can cause more damage to already weakened, narrowed airways. It often takes a long time for us patients to feel better and get back on our feet. There are definitely genetic factors involved, the environment and the body’s response to inflammation which make some people more susceptible than others. 😊👋

[Maricopa in reply to Caspiana]

I have genetic alpha one antitrypsin deficiency. I’m a ZZ phenotype. I avoid people and places I may catch something from. It’s not very enjoyable but I have no choice or I’ll get sick.

[Caspiana in reply to Maricopa]

Me too. No crowds as much as I can help it. xx

[Nimrod2]

I am recovering from a respiratory virus. I have been ill for more than a month. Before that, I had not had an infection for 5 years. It has really hit me hard both physically and mentally. As far as I am aware I have not had covid. Luckily I have support from the local COPD team and my GP.

[Tucker43]

My experience over the covid years is that I was very well, and I'm certain that was due to not mixing with people, other than my immediate family, etc.Then when things returned to 'normal' I again was quite well. I had reduced my hours from full to part-time and this I feel definitely helped. I'm certain I pick things up when I'm over doing it. My shifts are 12 hours +++

Fast forward to now - I've been ill since December and unable to attend work. I thought it was a second bout of whooping cough (first was in 2015) but results just in are negative. This shocked and worried me, if I were a betting person, I would've put money on it being whooping cough.

So what it leaves me thinking is that it's a very nasty virus and I always underestimate these.

Earlier on with this, I didn't respond to steroids, antibiotics and more steroids, in that order, despite them increasing. This was my exact experience with the terrible whooping cough the first time around.

Seeing my Dr again next week. Had bloods and a chest x-ray already. He might suggest a scan.

But, these last couple of days I feel I've turned a corner and can feel myself finally improving. I was worried it was something more serious, as the breathlessness and exhaustion has been unbelievable however now I think it's been a hellish virus.

Like I say I always underestimate them, despite working in frontline emergency care. I do pick things up! I'm usually OK ish but not this year. There have been/are, the most awful viruses going around and these are causing problems for people who suffer with respiratory problems.

So yes, I blame them for everything at the moment!!

Take care

[Maricopa in reply to Tucker43]

It may have been RSV.

[Alberta56]

Since I was diagnosed in 2019 and put on the right regime I have not had any infections except covid twice. I don't know whether this is luck or genetics. My dad was a tough old bird. Certainly it was easier to keep safe during lockdown, thought that came at the expense of losing physical fitness through not being able to exercise so much.

[JanetJAM]

hi I got an awful cough in December went to see the doctor twice she said it was a virus and my chest was clear and just to wait for it to go. I was coughing so bad I couldn’t get my breath and I was gagging all the time. It’s now February and it’s much better but if I laugh or shout I start coughing with the breath catching thing I’m hoping it will eventually peter out but it’s a long haul viruses are horrible.

[watergazer]

hi. During Covid I had the best year for health as I didn’t come into contact with bugs I feel my immune system weakened because of this and have since had more flare ups Last year was my worst. Ill from November to March. Lots of antibiotics and steroids. This winter I’ve only had one flare up. I’ve just finished 2 weeks of doxycycline which seems to have calmed everything down. I do mix with 7 grandchildren under the age of 10 weekly so not too bad this winter. I take a high dose vitamin D3 daily and vitamin C when ill. Take care. Hope you’re feeling better soon x

[Maricopa in reply to watergazer]

I definitely am concerned my hiding out the past 4+ yrs has meant my immune system avoided any bug out there. Now I’m afraid if I resume a more normal lifestyle I will get sick.

[watergazer in reply to Maricopa]

Need to immerse yourself slowly. Wear masks. Use antibacterial wipes etc. maybe go on a walk when not many people around. Take care x

[Lutontown]

I would say for me it has been bacterial infections. I would also say that these were driven by black mould in our home(s). In 2012 I had 6 chest infections in quick order. In August 2013 we moved to our present address, and from that time I just had so many chest infections. In 2016 I had a lot, so in 2017 I kept a diary and counted 18 infections in that year. In 2018 we found the black mould during the change from a bath to a walk-in shower. Since the eradication of that by changing the floor boarding, I've had NO chest infections, apart from a stint in hospital with pneumonia and pleurisy in November 2019. I believe an infection by Staphylloccus Aureus bug from March to November 2014, caused my bi-basal bronchiectasis; I also think that the pneumonia / pleurisy may have caused my heart failure, both of which I now have. I also wonder what childhood illnesses damage was caused, by such as whooping cough and measles. From the moment you're born, there are a million things trying to kill you. It's possible that our previous home may have had mould, as, as I say I had 6 chest infections and a stint in hospital with pneumonia just as we were about to move, and the lady of the family that bought our house, died of some respiratory disease. All a bit if's and but's, but that's what I think or at least wonder. Then of course, what do your genes dictate?

[madonbrew]

I've recently spent 11 days in hospital with my asthma (including time in ICU) and they found I had human metapneumovirus. I've had 3 serious hospital admissions with viruses/chest infections, one which turned to pneumonia. Viruses/Infections are definitely one of my biggest triggers.

[PW_R]

Thanks all for the replies. I’m wondering whether a sort of self isolation for 5/6 months from next Nov would significantly decrease my number of chest infections. Seems extreme but otherwise I get the sense that my disease will be progressing fast. And it’s hard to sit around watching your lungs get more & more destroyed!