Acne is a very common skin condition that causes pimples. You’ll usually get pimples on your face. Clogged pores cause acne. Teenagers and young adults most often get acne, but it can also occur during adulthood for many people. Treatment is available to clear acne from your skin and prevent scarring.

What is acne?

Acne is a common skin condition where the pores of your skin clog. Pore blockages produce blackheads, whiteheads and other types of pimples. Pimples are pus-filled, sometimes painful, bumps on your skin.

The medical term for acne is acne vulgaris.

What are the types of acne?

There are several types of acne, including:

• Fungal acne (pityrosporum folliculitis): Fungal acne occurs when yeast builds up in your hair follicles. These can be itchy and inflamed.
• Cystic acne: Cystic acne causes deep, pus-filled pimples and nodules. These can cause scars.
• Hormonal acne: Hormonal acne affects adults who have an overproduction of sebum that clogs their pores.
• Nodular acne: Nodular acne is a severe form of acne that causes pimples on the surface of your skin, and tender, nodular lumps under your skin.

All of these forms of acne can affect your self-esteem, and both cystic and nodular acne can lead to permanent skin damage in the form of scarring. It’s best to seek help from a healthcare provider early so they can determine the best treatment option(s) for you.

Who does acne affect?

Acne usually affects everyone at some point in their lifetime. It’s most common among teenagers and young adults undergoing hormonal changes, but acne can also occur during adulthood. Adult acne is more common among women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). You may be more at risk of developing acne if you have a family history of acne (genetics).

How common is acne?

If you have acne, know that you’re not alone. Acne is the most common skin condition that people experience. An estimated 80% of people ages 11 to 30 will have at least a mild form of acne.

Where on my body will I have acne?

The most common places where you might have acne are on your:

• Face.
• Forehead.
• Chest.
• Shoulders.
• Upper back.

Oil glands exist all over your body. The common locations of acne are where oil glands exist the most.

What are the symptoms of acne?

Symptoms of acne on your skin include:

• Pimples (pustules): Pus-filled bumps (papules).
• Papules: Small, discolored bumps, often red to purple or darker than your natural skin tone.
• Blackheads: Plugged pores with a black top.
• Whiteheads: Plugged pores with a white top.
• Nodules: Large lumps under your skin that are painful.
• Cysts: Painful fluid-filled (pus) lumps under your skin.

Acne can be mild and cause a few occasional pimples or it can be moderate and cause inflammatory papules. Severe acne causes nodules and cysts.

What causes acne?

Clogged hair follicles or pores cause acne. Your hair follicles are small tubes that hold a strand of your hair. There are several glands that empty into your hair follicles. When too much material is inside your hair follicle, a clog occurs. Your pores can clog with:

• Sebum: An oily substance that provides a protective barrier for your skin.
• Bacteria: Small amounts of bacteria naturally live on your skin. If you have too much bacteria, it can clog your pores.
• Dead skin cells: Your skin cells shed often to make room for more cells to grow. When your skin releases dead skin cells, they can get stuck in your hair follicles.

When your pores clog, substances plug up your hair follicle, creating a pimple. This triggers inflammation, which you feel as pain and swelling. You can also see inflammation through skin discoloration like redness around a pimple.

Triggers of acne

Certain things in your environment contribute to acne or they can make an acne breakout worse, including:

• Wearing tight-fitting clothing and headgear, like hats and sports helmets.
• Air pollution and certain weather conditions, especially high humidity.
• Using oily or greasy personal care products, like heavy lotions and creams, or working in an area where you routinely come in contact with grease, such as working at a restaurant with frying oil.
• Stress, which increases the hormone cortisol.
• A side effect of a medication.
• Picking at your acne.

Foods that cause acne

Some studies link particular foods and diets to acne, like:

• Skim milk.
• Whey protein.
• Diets high in sugar.

While high-sugar diets may lead to acne outbreaks, chocolate isn’t directly linked to acne.

To reduce your risk of acne, choose to eat a balanced, nutritious diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, which helps reduce inflammation.

Hormones and acne

Acne is largely a hormonal condition that’s driven by androgen hormones (testosterone). This typically becomes active during teenage and young adult years. You might also notice acne forming around the time of your period as a result of hormone activity. Sensitivity to this hormone — combined with surface bacteria on your skin and substances released from your body’s glands — can result in acne.

How is acne diagnosed?

A healthcare provider can diagnose acne during a skin exam. During this exam, the provider will closely look at your skin to learn more about your symptoms. In addition, they may also ask about risk factors for acne, like:

• Are you feeling stressed?
• Do you have a family history of acne?
• If a woman or person AFAB, do you notice breakouts during your menstrual cycle?
• What medications do you currently take?

Your healthcare provider won’t need to run any diagnostic tests for acne, but they may offer tests to diagnose any underlying conditions if you have sudden, severe acne outbreaks, especially if you’re an adult.

Who treats acne?

A general healthcare provider or a dermatologist can diagnose and treat acne. If you have stubborn acne that doesn’t improve with treatment, a dermatologist can help.

How severe can acne get?

Dermatologists rank acne by severity:

• Grade 1 (mild): Mostly whiteheads and blackheads, with a few papules and pustules.
• Grade 2 (moderate or pustular acne): Multiple papules and pustules, mostly on your face.
• Grade 3 (moderately severe or nodulocystic acne): Numerous papules and pustules, along with occasionally inflamed nodules. Your back and chest may also be affected.
• Grade 4 (severe nodulocystic acne): Numerous large, painful and inflamed pustules and nodules.

How is acne treated?

There are several ways to treat acne. Each type of treatment varies based on your age, the type of acne you have and the severity. A healthcare provider might recommend taking oral medications, using topical medications or using medicated therapies to treat your skin. The goal of acne treatment is to stop new pimples from forming and to heal the existing blemishes on your skin.

Topical acne medications

Your healthcare provider may recommend using a topical acne medication to treat your skin. You can rub these medications directly onto your skin as you would a lotion or a moisturizer. These could include products that contain one of the following ingredients:

• Benzoyl peroxide: This is available as an over-the-counter product (such as Clearasil®, Stridex® and PanOxyl®) as a leave-on gel or wash. It targets surface bacteria, which often aggravates acne. Lower concentrations and wash formulations are less irritating to your skin.
• Salicylic acid: This is available over the counter for acne as a cleanser or lotion. It helps remove the top layer of damaged skin. Salicylic acid dissolves dead skin cells to prevent your hair follicles from clogging.
• Azelaic acid: This is a natural acid found in various grains such as barley, wheat and rye. It kills microorganisms on the skin and reduces swelling.
• Retinoids (vitamin A derivatives): Retinol, such as Retin-A®, Tazorac® and Differin®, which is available without a prescription, breaks up blackheads and whiteheads and helps prevent clogged pores, the first signs of acne. Most people are candidates for retinoid therapy. These medications aren’t spot treatments and must be used on the entire area of skin affected by acne to prevent the formation of new pimples. You often need to use these for several months before noticing positive results.
• Antibiotics: Topical antibiotics like clindamycin and erythromycin control surface bacteria that aggravate and cause acne. Antibiotics are more effective when combined with benzoyl peroxide.
• Dapsone: Dapsone (Aczone®) is a topical gel, which also has antibacterial properties. It treats inflamed acne.

Oral acne medications

Oral acne medications are pills that you take by mouth to clear your acne. Types of oral acne medications could include:

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics treat acne caused by bacteria. Common antibiotics for acne include tetracycline, minocycline and doxycycline. These are best for moderate to severe acne.
• Isotretinoin (Amnesteem®, Claravis® and Sotret®): Isotretinoin is an oral retinoid. Isotretinoin shrinks the size of oil glands, which contributes to acne formation.
• Contraceptives: The use of certain contraceptives can sometimes help women and people AFAB who have acne. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved several types of birth control pills for treating acne. Some brand names include Estrostep®, Beyaz®, Ortho Tri-Cyclen® and Yaz®. These pills contain a combination of estrogen (the primary AFAB sex hormone) and progesterone (a natural form of steroid that helps regulate menstruation).
• Hormone therapy: Hormone therapy is helpful for some people with acne, especially if you experience acne flare-ups during menstruation or irregular periods caused by excess androgen (a hormone). Hormone therapy consists of low-dose estrogen and progesterone (birth control pills) or a medication called spironolactone that blocks the effect of certain hormones at the level of your hair follicles and oil glands.

Additional acne therapies

If topical or oral medications don’t work well for your acne or if you have scars from your acne, a healthcare provider may recommend different types of acne therapies to clear your skin, including:

• Steroids: Steroids can treat severe acne with injections into large nodules to reduce inflammation.
• Lasers: Lasers and light therapy treat acne scars. A laser delivers heat to the scarred collagen under your skin. This relies on your body’s wound-healing response to create new, healthy collagen, which encourages growth of new skin to replace it.
• Chemical peels: This treatment uses special chemicals to remove the top layer of old skin. After removal of the top layer of skin, new skin grows in smoother and can lessen acne scars.

How do antibiotics treat acne?

Antibiotics are medications that target bacteria. Some used to treat acne also can decrease inflammation. Bacteria can clog your pores and cause acne. Antibiotics are responsible for:

• Blocking bacteria from entering your body.
• Destroying bacteria.
• Preventing bacteria from multiplying.

A healthcare provider will recommend antibiotics if you have acne caused by bacteria or if you have an infection. Antibiotics get rid of an infection if bacteria gets into a popped pimple, which can swell and become painful. This medication isn’t a cure for acne and you shouldn’t take it long-term to treat acne.

How can I make my acne go away at home?

If you have acne, you can start an at-home skin care routine to help your acne go away by:

• Washing your skin at least once daily with warm (not hot) water and a gentle cleanser. Cleansers are over-the-counter skin care products that help clean your skin.
• Washing your skin after you exercise or sweat.
• Avoid using skin care products with alcohol, astringents, toners and exfoliants, which can irritate your skin.
• Removing your makeup at the end of the day or before you go to bed.
• Choosing an oil-free moisturizer to apply on your skin after cleansing.
• Avoid popping, picking or squeezing your acne. Let your skin heal naturally to prevent scars from forming on your skin.

If your at-home skin care routine isn’t effective at treating acne, visit a healthcare provider.

Is acne treatment safe for people who are pregnant?

Many topical and oral acne treatments aren’t safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, it’s important to discuss acne treatments with your healthcare provider and notify them if you become pregnant.

How long does it take for acne to go away?

On average, it can take between one to two weeks for acne pimples to clear up on their own. With medicated treatment and a good skin care routine, you can speed up your body’s healing time to make acne go away faster. For severe acne, it can take several weeks for your acne to go away, even with treatment.

How can I prevent acne?

You can’t completely prevent acne, especially during hormone changes, but you can reduce your risk of developing acne by:

• Washing your face daily with warm water and a facial cleanser.
• Using an oil-free moisturizer.
• Wearing “noncomedogenic” makeup products and removing makeup at the end of each day.
• Keeping your hands away from your face.

What can I expect if I have acne?

Acne often goes away in early adulthood, though some people will continue to experience acne throughout adulthood. Your healthcare provider or a board-certified dermatologist can help you manage this condition. Various medications and therapies are effective forms of treatment. They target the underlying factors that contribute to acne. It may take several different types of treatment before you and your healthcare provider find one that works best for your skin. The skin care products that work for you might not work for someone else with similar symptoms.

Can acne cause scars?

Yes, sometimes acne can cause scarring. This happens when the acne penetrates the top layer of your skin and damages deeper skin layers. Inflammation makes your acne pores swell and the pore walls start to breakdown, which causes skin damage. Scarring can be a source of anxiety, which is normal. Before treatment, your healthcare provider will determine what type of acne caused your scars. There are several treatment options available for acne scars.

How does acne affect my mental health?

Acne can cause disruptions in your mental health because it affects your appearance and self-esteem. Often, acne development is out of your control if hormones cause it. This can create stress, which can influence future breakouts. Acne can be challenging for teenagers and young adults. If your acne causes you to feel anxious or it prevents you from participating in social activities with your friends and family, talk to a healthcare provider or a mental health professional.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Visit a healthcare provider as soon as you notice pimples so you can start treatment immediately before scarring occurs. If you’re using an acne treatment that isn’t working to clear your acne or it causes skin irritation like itchiness or skin discoloration, visit a provider.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

• What type of acne do I have?
• How severe is my acne?
• Do I need to see a dermatologist?
• What over-the-counter medications do you recommend?
• What prescription medications do you recommend?

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Acne is the most common of all skin conditions and it can have an impact on your mental health and self-esteem. If you have stubborn acne, visit a healthcare provider or a dermatologist to treat your acne. Sometimes, your acne needs a little extra help to go away with a medication if at-home skin care treatments don’t work. While it may be tempting, try not to pick at your acne or pop pimples to prevent scarring. Remember that acne is temporary and will go away with the right treatment designed for your skin.

Skin diseases are conditions that affect your skin. These diseases may cause rashes, inflammation, itchiness or other skin changes. Some skin conditions may be genetic, while lifestyle factors may cause others. Skin disease treatment may include medications, creams or ointments, or lifestyle changes.

What are skin diseases?

Your skin is the large organ that covers and protects your body. Your skin has many functions. It works to:

• Hold in fluid and prevent dehydration.
• Help you feel sensations, such as temperature or pain.
• Keep out bacteria, viruses and other causes of infection.
• Stabilize your body temperature.
• Synthesize (create) vitamin D in response to sun exposure.

Skin diseases include all conditions that clog, irritate or inflame your skin. Often, skin diseases cause rashes or other changes in your skin’s appearance.

What are the most common types of skin diseases?

Some skin diseases are minor. Others cause severe symptoms. Some of the most common skin diseases include:

• Acne, blocked skin follicles that lead to oil, bacteria and dead skin buildup in your pores.
• Alopecia areata, losing your hair in small patches.
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema), dry, itchy skin that leads to swelling, cracking or scaliness.
• Psoriasis, scaly skin that may swell or feel hot.
• Raynaud’s phenomenon, periodic reduced blood flow to your fingers, toes or other body parts, causing numbness or skin color change.
• Rosacea, flushed, thick skin and pimples, usually on the face.
• Skin cancer, uncontrolled growth of abnormal skin cells.
• Vitiligo, patches of skin that lose pigment.

What are some types of rare skin diseases?

Many rare skin diseases are genetic, meaning you inherit them. Some rare skin diseases include:

• Actinic prurigo (AP), itchy rash in response to sun exposure.
• Argyria, changes in skin color due to silver buildup in your body.
• Chromhidrosis, colored sweat.
• Epidermolysis bullosa, a connective tissue disorder that causes fragile skin that blisters and tears easily.
• Harlequin ichthyosis, thick, hard patches or plates on the skin that are present at birth.
• Lamellar ichthyosis, waxy skin layer that sheds in the first few weeks of life, revealing scaly, red skin.
• Necrobiosis lipoidica, rash on the lower legs that can develop into ulcers (sores).

What causes skin diseases?

Certain lifestyle factors can lead to the development of a skin disease. Underlying health conditions may affect your skin, too. Common causes of skin diseases include:

• Bacteria trapped in your pores or hair follicles.
• Conditions that affect your thyroid, kidneys or immune system.
• Contact with environmental triggers, such as allergens or another person’s skin.
• Genetics
• Fungus or parasites living on your skin.
• Medications, such as the ones that treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Viruses.
• Diabetes.
• Sun.

What are the symptoms of skin diseases?

Skin disease symptoms vary significantly, depending on what condition you have. Skin changes are not always due to skin diseases. For example, you may get a blister from wearing ill-fitting shoes. However, when skin changes show up with no known cause, they may be linked to an underlying condition.

Generally, skin diseases may cause:

• Discolored skin patches (abnormal pigmentation).
• Dry skin.
• Open sores, lesions or ulcers.
• Peeling skin.
• Rashes, possibly with itchiness or pain.
• Red, white or pus-filled bumps.
• Scaly or rough skin.

How is a skin disease diagnosed?

Often, a healthcare provider can diagnose a skin disease by visually examining your skin. If looking at your skin doesn’t provide clear answers, your provider may use tests such as:

• Biopsy, removing a small piece of skin to examine under a microscope.
• Culture, taking a skin sample to test for bacteria, fungus or viruses.
• Skin patch test, applying small amounts of substances to test for allergic reactions.
• Black light examination (Wood light test), using an ultraviolet (UV) light to view your skin’s pigment more clearly.
• Diascopy, pressing a microscope slide against a skin patch to see if the skin changes color.
• Dermoscopy, using a hand-held device called a dermatoscope to diagnose skin lesions.
• Tzanck test, examining the fluid from a blister to check for herpes simplex or herpes zoster.

How are skin diseases treated?

Many skin diseases respond well to treatment. Depending on the condition, a dermatologist (doctor specializing in skin) or other healthcare provider may recommend:

• Antibiotics.
• Antihistamines.
• Laser skin resurfacing.
• Medicated creams, ointments or gels.
• Moisturizers.
• Oral medications (taken by mouth).
• Steroid pills, creams or injections.
• Surgical procedures.

You may also reduce symptoms of skin conditions by making lifestyle changes:

• Avoid or limit certain foods, such as sugar or dairy, if your healthcare provider suggests it.
• Manage stress.
• Practice good hygiene, including proper skin care.
• Avoid excessive alcohol use and smoking.

Are there conditions that put me at higher risk of developing a skin disease?

Some health conditions can increase your chances of developing a skin disease. You may be more likely to experience skin changes or symptoms if you have:

• Diabetes: People with diabetes may have trouble with wound healing, particularly on their feet.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Some IBD medications can lead to skin problems such as vitiligo or eczema.
• Lupus: This chronic condition can lead to inflammation and skin problems, such as rashes, sores or scaly skin patches.

Skin changes can also be the result of pregnancy, stress or hormonal changes. For example, melasma is a common skin disease that mostly affects pregnant women. Conditions like alopecia areata, acne, Raynaud’s phenomenon or rosacea may get worse when you’re stressed.

How can I prevent skin diseases?

Some skin diseases are not preventable. For example, there is no way to change your genetics or prevent an autoimmune disorder.

You can take steps to avoid contagious or infectious skin diseases. You may prevent contagious skin diseases or reduce their symptoms if you:

• Avoid sharing utensils, personal items or cosmetics.
• Disinfect objects you use in public spaces, such as gym equipment.
• Drink plenty of water and eat a nutritious diet.
• Limit contact with irritants or harsh chemicals.
• Sleep seven to eight hours per night.
• Use sun protection to prevent sunburn and other sun damage.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.

Do skin diseases usually return after treatment?

Many skin conditions are chronic (long-lasting). Treatment can reduce symptoms, but you may need to continue medication or other treatments to keep symptoms at bay.

Some skin conditions go away without treatment. You may also have periods of remission (months or years with no symptoms).

What else should I ask my doctor?

You may also want to ask your healthcare provider:

• What is the most likely cause of this skin condition?
• What lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms?
• Do I need to take medication?
• Are there any side effects of treatment?
• If I choose not to have treatment, will the condition get worse?

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Skin diseases include all conditions that irritate, clog or damage your skin, as well as skin cancer. You may inherit a skin condition or develop a skin disease. Many skin diseases cause itchiness, dry skin or rashes. Often, you can manage these symptoms with medication, proper skin care and lifestyle changes. However, treatment can reduce symptoms and may even keep them at bay for months at a time. Many skin conditions never go away completely. Also, remember to check your skin for any changes, including new or non-healing spots or changes in moles. Most skin cancers can be cured if diagnosed and treated early.

A sore throat is a scratchy or burning feeling in the back of your throat. It may hurt to swallow or talk. Most sore throats happen because of a viral infection, like the common cold or flu. Sore throat symptoms typically go away in a few days.

What is a sore throat?

A sore throat is a scratchy painful feeling in the back of your throat. If you have a sore throat, it may hurt to swallow or to talk. Many things cause sore throats, from bacterial and viral infections to allergies and sleeping with your mouth open. Most sore throat symptoms go away in a few days. You should contact a healthcare provider if your sore throat lasts longer than a week, gets worse or you develop symptoms like fever or swollen lymph nodes.

What does a sore throat feel like?

A sore throat may start with a raspy feeling in your throat, as if your throat is dry. It may also feel like your throat is on fire. If your sore throat gets worse, you may feel a sharp pain in your throat when you swallow or talk. You may feel pain in your ears or down the side of your neck.

Is a sore throat a serious issue?

It can be. For example, a sore throat that lasts more than two weeks may be a symptom of throat cancer. A sore throat is one symptom of COVID-19. Most of the time, however, a sore throat is a symptom of less serious conditions.

What are sore throat symptoms?

Apart from throat pain, sore throat symptoms may include:

• Fever.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach.
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• Nasal congestion (stuffy nose).
• Runny nose.
• Cough.
• Fatigue.
• Hoarseness.

What causes sore throats?

Most sore throats happen because you have a viral infection, like the common cold or flu. Sore throats may be a symptom of the following conditions or issues:

• Bacterial infection: Strep throat and bacterial sinus infections are examples of bacterial infections that may cause sore throats.
• Allergies: Allergic reactions to pollen, dust mites, pets or mold can make your throat dry and scratchy. Sore throat from allergies results from postnasal drip (when mucus from your nose drips down the back of your throat). The mucus irritates your throat and causes pain.
• Tonsillitis: Tonsils are the two small lumps of soft tissue at the back of your throat. They trap the germs that make you sick. Tonsillitis occurs when your tonsils become infected and inflamed. Bacteria and viruses can cause tonsillitis.
• Acid reflux: People with a condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) feel burning and pain in their throat. This pain, called heartburn, happens when acid from your stomach backs up into your esophagus. Your esophagus is the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach.
• Overuse or irritants: You can strain your throat by yelling or screaming. You may also develop a sore throat if you eat spicy food, smoke or drink very hot liquids.
• Mouth breathing: You may have a sore throat if you breathe through your mouth instead of your nose when you’re sleeping.

How do healthcare providers diagnose sore throat?

Healthcare providers diagnose sore throats by examining your throat, tongue and possibly your ears. They may do a strep test to rule out strep throat.

How do healthcare providers treat sore throat?

Treatment depends on what caused your sore throat. For example, if your throat is sore because you have a cold, a healthcare provider may recommend over-the-counter medication to ease your cold symptoms and for your sore throat. If you have strep throat, a healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection. Other treatments for specific causes may include:

• Over-the-counter antihistamine medication: Postnasal drip from allergies may cause sore throats. Antihistamines may dry postnasal drip.
• Over-the-counter antacids: Antacids may help with acid reflux that causes heartburn and sore throats. Other steps, like avoiding big meals right before bedtime, may help.

What can I do for my sore throat?

Sucking on throat lozenges or hard candies may ease sore throat symptoms. Other suggestions include:

• Drink warm liquids: Drinking tea with lemon and honey, broth or bouillon may help dry, scratchy throats.
• Apply ice: Sucking on ice chips or popsicles may help sore throat pain.
• Use a humidifier or vaporizer: Adding moisture to your environment, especially your bedroom when you’re sleeping, helps dry throats.
• Rest: If your throat is sore from shouting, screaming, singing or even talking a lot, resting your voice may help.
• Even more rest: Try to get as much rest as you can, including eight hours of sleep at night.
• Avoid irritants: Second-hand smoke, smoking, spicy foods and very hot liquids may irritate your sore throat. If you smoke, please try giving up cigarettes or cigars for a few days.

What can I do to make a sore throat go away quickly?

First, find out why you have a sore throat. If a healthcare provider finds a cold or flu is the culprit, ask for recommendations for getting better as quickly as possible.

How do I prevent developing a sore throat?

Viral infections like colds and flu often cause sore throats. You can reduce your sore throat by protecting yourself against colds and flu. Some ways to do that include:

• Washing your hands often, using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
• Avoiding people who are sneezing and coughing.
• If you do spend time with people who are sneezing and coughing, avoiding sharing food, drink or utensils.
• Being vaccinated against the flu.

What can I expect if I have a sore throat?

Most of the time, a sore throat isn’t a serious medical issue. Most sore throats go away within a few days. You should contact a healthcare provider if your sore throat lasts longer than a few days or if you have a sore throat and the following issues:

• Severe throat pain.
• Trouble breathing or swallowing.
• A fever, especially if it’s over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
• A visible bulge in the back of your throat.
• Blood in your saliva or phlegm.
• Extreme tiredness.
• Rash anywhere on your body.

How do I take care of myself?

Most sore throats happen because you have a viral or bacterial infection. Taking care of the infection will help your sore throat. You can ease sore throat symptoms by:

• Drinking a lot of fluid.
• Getting as much rest as possible.
• Using humidifiers or vaporizers.
• Avoiding irritants like second-hand smoke.
• Resting your voice.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Maybe your sore throat started with a tickle in the back of your throat. Now that tickle is a pain — literally — and it hurts a lot when you swallow or talk. Most sore throats happen because you have a viral infection that will run its course in a week or so. But you may need antibiotics if your sore throat stems from a bacterial infection. Fortunately, there are many home remedies to ease sore throat pain. There are instances, however, when a sore throat may be a symptom of serious medical issue. If you have a sore throat that lasts for more than two weeks, talk to a healthcare provider.

Bronchitis is when the airways leading to your lungs (trachea and bronchi) get inflamed and fill with mucus. You get a nagging cough as your body tries to get rid of the mucus. Your cough can last two or more weeks. Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a virus and goes away on its own. Chronic bronchitis never really goes away but can be managed.

What is bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways leading into your lungs.

When your airways (trachea and bronchi) get irritated, they swell up and fill with mucus, causing you to cough. Your cough can last days to a couple of weeks. It’s the main symptom of bronchitis.

Viruses are the most common cause of acute bronchitis. Smoke and other irritants can cause acute and chronic bronchitis.

What are the types of bronchitis?

When people talk about bronchitis, they usually mean acute bronchitis, a temporary condition that makes you cough. Some people get bronchitis so often that it’s considered chronic bronchitis.

Acute bronchitis

Acute bronchitis is usually caused by a viral infection and goes away on its own in a few weeks. Most people don’t need treatment for acute bronchitis.

Chronic bronchitis

You have chronic bronchitis if you have a cough with mucus most days of the month for three months out of the year. This goes on for at least two years.

If you have chronic bronchitis, you may have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ask your provider about whether you should get tested for COPD.

Who does bronchitis affect?

Anyone can get bronchitis, but you’re at higher risk if you:

• Smoke or are around someone who does.
• Have asthma, COPD or other breathing conditions.
• Have GERD (chronic acid reflux).
• Have an autoimmune disorder or other illness that causes inflammation.
• Are around air pollutants (like smoke or chemicals).

How does bronchitis affect my body?

When your airways are irritated, your immune system causes them to swell up and fill with mucus. You cough to try to clear the mucus out. As long as there’s mucus or inflammation in your airways, you’ll keep coughing.

What are the symptoms of bronchitis?

A persistent cough that lasts one to three weeks is the main symptom of bronchitis. You usually bring up mucus when you cough with bronchitis, but you might get a dry cough instead. You might also hear a whistling or rattling sound when you breathe (wheezing).

You might have other symptoms, including:

• Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
• Fever.
• Runny nose.
• Tiredness (fatigue).

What causes bronchitis?

You almost always get bronchitis from a virus. However, nearly anything that irritates your airways can cause it. Infectious and noninfectious causes of bronchitis include:

• Viruses. Viruses that cause bronchitis include influenza (the flu), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus, rhinovirus (the common cold) and coronavirus.
• Bacteria. Bacteria that cause bronchitis include Bordetella pertussis, Mycoplasma pneumonia and Chlamydia pneumonia.
• Pollution.
• Smoking cigarettes or marijuana (cannabis).

How do you get bronchitis?

You get bronchitis when your airways swell up and fill with mucus. You can get the viruses and bacteria that cause bronchitis from close contact (shaking hands, hugging, touching the same surfaces) with someone who has them. You don’t have to have bronchitis yourself to pass on a virus to someone else who ends up with bronchitis.

Other irritants, like tobacco or pollutants, are in the air you breathe.

Is bronchitis contagious?

Bronchitis itself — inflammation of your airways — isn’t contagious, but the viruses and bacteria that can cause it are. For instance, if you’re sick with the flu, you might get bronchitis too. But when your friend gets the flu from you, their airways don’t get inflamed like yours did.

Is bronchitis a side effect of COVID-19?

You can get bronchitis with almost any virus, including SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The symptoms of bronchitis can be similar to COVID-19, so make sure you get tested to know which one you have. There haven’t been any studies that show that COVID-19 is any more likely to cause bronchitis than other viral illnesses.

How is bronchitis diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider can tell if you have bronchitis based on your health history and symptoms (clinical diagnosis). They’ll listen to your lungs for signs of congestion and to make sure you’re breathing well. They might test you for viral infections, like the flu or COVID-19.

What tests will be done to diagnose this condition?

There aren’t any specific tests to diagnose bronchitis, but you might be tested for other conditions. Possible tests include:

• Nasal swab. Your healthcare provider may use a soft-tipped stick (swab) in your nose to test for viruses, like COVID-19 or the flu.
• Chest X-ray. If your cough lasts for a long time, you may get a chest X-ray to rule out more serious conditions. Your healthcare provider will use a machine to get pictures of your heart and lungs. They’ll look for signs of other diseases that could cause your symptoms.
• Blood tests. Your provider may do blood tests, using a needle in your arm, to look for infections or check your overall health.
• Sputum test. Your provider may have you cough and then spit into a tube. Your sample will be tested for signs of a virus or bacteria.
• Pulmonary function tests. If your provider thinks you have chronic bronchitis, they may use a machine to test how well your lungs work.

How is bronchitis treated?

Acute bronchitis is usually not treated with medications. If you have the flu and your symptoms started within the past two days, your provider may prescribe antivirals to help it go away faster.

Since bronchitis is almost never caused by bacteria, antibiotics won’t help you get better and might even make you feel worse.

What medications are used to treat bronchitis?

Your healthcare provider probably won’t prescribe medications to treat your bronchitis. In some cases, you can use medications to help you with symptoms or to treat the underlying cause, including:

• Antiviral medications. If your bronchitis is caused by the flu, your healthcare provider might prescribe an antiviral medication, like Tamiflu®, Relenza® and Rapivab®. If you start taking antivirals quickly after your symptoms start, you might feel better sooner.
• Bronchodilators. Your provider might prescribe a bronchodilator (a drug that helps open your airways) if you’re having trouble breathing.
• Anti-inflammatory medications. Your doctor might prescribe corticosteroids and other medications to reduce inflammation.
• Cough suppressants. Over-the-counter or prescription cough suppressants (antitussives) may help with a nagging cough. This includes dextromethorphan (Robitussin®, DayQuil™, PediaCare®) and benzonatate (Tessalon Perles®, Zonatuss™).
• Antibiotics. It’s very unlikely that you’ll be treated with antibiotics for bronchitis, unless your healthcare provider thinks you have a bacterial infection.
• COPD/asthma treatment. If you have COPD or asthma, your provider may use additional medications or breathing treatments for chronic bronchitis.

Should I take antibiotics for bronchitis?

No, taking antibiotics won’t help you get over bronchitis in most cases. Antibiotics are used to destroy bacteria that make you sick. Bronchitis is caused by a virus 95% of the time. Antibiotics don’t help you get rid of a virus.

How do I manage the symptoms of bronchitis?

You can manage the symptoms of bronchitis at home with over-the-counter medicines and rest. Running a humidifier or taking warm showers can help loosen mucus and make breathing easier.

You can use ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®) to help with the aches and pains that come with a viral infection.

How long are you contagious if you have acute bronchitis?

Bronchitis itself isn’t contagious, but some of its causes are. If your bronchitis is caused by a virus, you can be contagious for a few days to a week. If your bronchitis is caused by bacteria, you usually stop being contagious 24 hours after starting antibiotics.

Other causes of bronchitis aren’t contagious.

How can I reduce my risk of bronchitis?

The best way to reduce your risk of bronchitis is to avoid getting sick from viruses and other causes of lung irritation. Specific ways to reduce your risk include:

• Try to avoid being around other people if you or they may be sick. This is especially true in the winter months when people gather indoors.
• Avoid smoke and other irritants.
• If you have asthma or allergies, avoid any triggers (including pets, dust and pollen).
• Run a humidifier. Moist air is less likely to irritate your lungs.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If you’re not able to use soap and water, use a hand sanitizer that contains alcohol.
• Make sure you are up-to-date on flu and pneumonia vaccines.

What’s the outlook for bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis usually isn’t serious. While frustrating, you have to wait out the symptoms for a few weeks. If you’re living with a heart condition or another breathing condition, like asthma, it could make your symptoms worse or last longer.

Chronic bronchitis can be a serious condition and might mean you have lung damage. While the damage can’t be reversed, your provider can help you manage your symptoms and have fewer flare-ups.

Complications of bronchitis

If you have an ongoing condition like asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart failure, bronchitis might make it worse (exacerbation). Tell your healthcare provider if you have any ongoing conditions.

Can bronchitis go away on its own?

Yes, acute bronchitis usually goes away on its own. It’s almost always caused by a virus, and you can’t get rid of most viruses with medicine. You can treat the symptoms at home while you wait for the inflammation to go down.

Bronchitis caused by something else may need treatment to help it go away. Chronic bronchitis usually doesn’t go away completely, but can get better with treatment.

How long does it take to get over bronchitis?

Most people get over bronchitis in about two weeks, but it might take as long as three to six weeks. You can manage your symptoms at home with over-the-counter medicines while you get better. If you don’t feel better after three weeks, see your healthcare provider.

How do I take care of myself?

If you have chronic bronchitis, you can reduce the frequency of your symptoms by treating underlying conditions, like COPD. You and your healthcare provider can make a plan together to treat your specific concerns.

When should I see my healthcare provider about bronchitis?

It’s tough to know whether you have bronchitis or something more serious. See your healthcare provider if you have:

• A cough that lasts more than three weeks.
• A fever greater than 102° F.
• A fever that lasts more than five days.
• A cough that produces blood.
• Shortness of breath or wheezing.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

• What’s the best way to treat my symptoms at home?
• How long should I expect bronchitis to last?
• What new or worsening symptoms should I look out for?
• When should I see you again if symptoms haven’t improved?

What’s the difference between bronchitis and pneumonia?

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways leading to the lungs. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs themselves.

Bronchitis causes inflammation and mucus in your trachea and bronchi that make you cough a lot. Pneumonia causes inflammation and fluid in the small sacs in your lungs (alveoli) that makes it hard to breathe. You also usually have a cough and a fever. Pneumonia is more serious than bronchitis.

While you could have an infection that causes both, bronchitis doesn’t usually turn into pneumonia.

What’s the difference between bronchitis and bronchiolitis?

Bronchitis is inflammation in the larger airways (trachea and bronchi) coming into the lungs. Bronchiolitis is an inflammation of the next smaller airways (bronchioles) that come off of the bronchi. Children usually get bronchiolitis while adults get bronchitis.

Is menthol vapor rub good for bronchitis?

You might use vapor rubs, like Vicks VapoRub® or Mentholatum® ointment, for anything that ails you and wonder if they work for bronchitis. Vapor rubs have ingredients in them intended to calm down coughs, so they may help your bronchitis symptoms. Don’t use vapor rubs on children under two without asking your pediatrician first.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Having bronchitis can be frustrating at best. Even once you’re free of a runny nose and body aches, the cough seems to last forever. Over-the-counter medicines and even home remedies, like honey, can help get you through until you feel better. If you’re having trouble managing your symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider.

If you frequently have bronchitis, you may have chronic bronchitis caused by an underlying condition that needs to be treated.

Tonsillitis is a common condition that happens when your tonsils get infected. Symptoms typically include sore throat, fever and swollen lymph nodes. Treatment depends on whether the infection is viral or bacterial, and recovery usually takes about one week.

What is tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis occurs when your tonsils become infected. Tonsils are the two small lumps of soft tissue — one on either side — at the back of your throat. You can see your tonsils in a mirror by opening your mouth and sticking out your tongue.

Your tonsils are part of your immune system, and they help trap germs that make you sick. When your tonsils become infected, they get swollen and sore, and swallowing may hurt. The medical term for tonsillitis is “tonsillopharyngitis”, but most people call it a sore throat because that’s what it feels like.

Tonsillitis is most common in children and adolescents, but it can affect people of all ages. It rarely occurs in children under the age of 3. Most people have tonsillitis at least once in their lifetimes.

Symptoms of tonsillitis

Tonsillitis symptoms usually come on suddenly. They may include:

• Sore or scratchy throat.
• Pain or difficulty swallowing.
• Red, swollen tonsils and throat.
• White spots on your tonsils.
• White, yellow or gray coating on your tonsils.
• Fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).
• Swollen lymph nodes (glands on the sides of your neck below your ears).
• Stomachache or vomiting (more common in younger children).

What are the first signs of tonsillitis?

A sore throat is often the first symptom of tonsillitis. If you develop a sudden sore throat, keep an eye on your tonsils to see if they get red or swollen.

Tonsillitis causes

Viral infections are the most common cause of tonsillitis. But bacterial infections can cause it, too.

• Viral tonsillitis: Viruses like those that cause the common cold and the flu cause up to 70% of tonsillitis cases. Commonly, people with viral tonsillitis have milder symptoms than those with bacterial tonsillitis.
• Bacterial tonsillitis (strep throat): Bacteria, like Group A Streptococcus, cause other cases of tonsillitis. A common name for bacterial tonsillitis is strep throat. People without tonsils can still get strep throat. (In this case, it affects their throat instead of their tonsils.) Generally, bacterial tonsillitis causes more severe symptoms than viral tonsillitis.

How does tonsillitis spread?

The viruses and bacteria that cause tonsillitis are highly contagious. They’re passed along by:

• Kissing or sharing utensils, foods or drinks.
• Coming into close contact with someone who’s sick.
• Touching a contaminated surface and then touching your nose or mouth.
• Inhaling tiny particles that become airborne when a sick person sneezes or coughs.

Risk factors

You have an increased risk of getting tonsillitis if you’re:

• Between the ages of 5 and 15. Tonsillitis is most common in children and adolescents.
• Exposed to germs frequently. Those who work or go to school in buildings with lots of other people have a higher risk of encountering the germs that cause tonsillitis. (Teachers who work closely with children are one example.)

Complications of tonsillitis

Tonsillitis can sometimes result in complications like:

• Obstructive sleep apnea.
• Peritonsillar abscess.
• Tonsil stones.
• Tonsillar cellulitis.

People with untreated bacterial tonsillitis have a higher risk of developing:

• Poststreptococcal reactive arthritis (joint pain and swelling that occurs within 10 days of a strep infection).
• Rheumatic fever.
• Scarlet fever.
• Kidney inflammation.

How doctors diagnose tonsillitis

To diagnose tonsillitis, your healthcare provider will:

• Examine your throat for redness and swelling.
• Ask about other symptoms you’ve had, like a fever, cough, runny nose, rash or stomachache. This can help them rule out other conditions.
• Look in your ears and nose for other signs of infection.
• Feel the sides of your neck to see if your lymph nodes are swollen and tender.

Tests that are used

After confirming a tonsillitis diagnosis, your provider will need to determine whether the infection is viral or bacterial. To do this, they may request a bacteria culture test.

During this procedure, your provider will swipe the back of your throat with a long cotton swab to gather cells and saliva. Then, they’ll check the sample to see if it tests positive for Group A Streptococcus bacteria. If your results are positive, you have strep throat. If your results are negative, you have viral tonsillitis.

How is tonsillitis treated?

Tonsillitis treatment depends on the cause. While symptoms of viral tonsillitis and bacterial tonsillitis can be similar, their treatments are different. Treatment may include:

• Antibiotics, if your infection is bacterial. Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics like penicillin, clindamycin or cephalosporin. It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions and take the full course of antibiotics, even if you’re feeling better after a couple of days. If you stop taking them too soon, the infection could get worse or spread to another part of your body.
• Pain-relieving medications. Your provider may also recommend over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with your sore throat.
• Tonsillectomy (tonsillitis surgery). If you have chronic or recurring (returning) tonsillitis, your healthcare provider may recommend a tonsillectomy. This is a procedure to surgically remove your tonsils.

Home remedies

In addition to your healthcare provider’s recommendations, you can relieve the symptoms of viral and bacterial tonsillitis by:

• Drinking warm liquids, like tea, apple cider or broth.
• Gargling with warm salt water.
• Sucking on throat lozenges.

Can tonsillitis be prevented?

You can’t totally prevent tonsillitis. But you can reduce your risk by practicing good hygiene habits:

• Wash your hands often, especially before touching your nose or mouth.
• Avoid sharing foods, drinks or utensils with someone who’s sick.
• Replace your toothbrush every three months and every time you get sick.

What can I expect if I have tonsillitis?

Most cases of viral tonsillitis clear up in a few days with fluids and plenty of rest. Antibiotics typically eliminate bacterial tonsillitis in about 10 days. Tonsillitis usually doesn’t cause any serious or lasting health problems.

How long does tonsillitis last?

In most cases, tonsillitis symptoms go away in three to four days. But if symptoms last longer, you should schedule a visit with your healthcare provider to rule out other, more serious issues.

When can I go back to work or school?

You should stay at home until your fever goes away and you can swallow comfortably again. This usually takes three to four days. If you’re unsure, ask your healthcare provider.

How do I take care of myself?

The best thing you can do is stay at home, get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids. Following your healthcare provider’s guidance can ensure a speedy recovery.

When is tonsillitis an emergency?

You should contact your healthcare provider or an urgent care facility if you have:

• A sore throat for more than four days.
• A fever over 101 degrees F (38.33 degrees C).
• Difficulty breathing.

Will tonsillitis go away on its own?

Viral tonsillitis typically goes away on its own in about one week. Bacterial tonsillitis takes about 10 days to run its course, but you’ll likely need antibiotics to reduce your risk of complications.

What does tonsillitis look like?

Tonsillitis usually causes visibly red and inflamed tonsils. In some cases, you might have a whitish coating on your throat or white spots on your tonsils.

Tonsillitis vs. strep: What’s the difference?

Strep throat is another common name for bacterial tonsillitis. You can get strep throat even if you don’t have your tonsils anymore.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

You know that feeling — that scratchy sensation in the back of your throat. You keep your fingers crossed, hoping it’ll go away. But when you wake up the next morning, it hurts to swallow. If this sounds like you, it could be tonsillitis. And it’s best to make an appointment with your healthcare provider. With some rest and medication, you’ll be feeling like yourself again in a few days.

Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that is also known as TB. It can be fatal if not treated. TB most often affects your lungs, but can also affect other organs like your brain.

What is tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that can cause infection in your lungs or other tissues. It commonly affects your lungs, but it can also affect other organs like your spine, brain or kidneys. The word “tuberculosis” comes from a Latin word for “nodule” or something that sticks out.

Tuberculosis is also known as TB. Not everyone who becomes infected with TB gets sick, but if you do get sick you need to be treated.

If you’re infected with the bacterium, but don’t have symptoms, you have inactive tuberculosis or latent tuberculosis infection (also called latent TB). It may seem like TB has gone away, but it’s dormant (sleeping) inside your body.

If you’re infected, develop symptoms and are contagious, you have active tuberculosis or tuberculosis disease (TB disease).

The three stages of TB are:

• Primary infection.
• Latent TB infection.
• Active TB disease.

How common is tuberculosis?

About 10 million people became ill with TB throughout the world, and about 1.5 million people died from the disease in 2020. TB was once the leading cause of death in the U.S. but the number of cases fell rapidly in the 1940s and 1950s after researchers found treatments.

Statistics show that there were 7,860 tuberculosis cases reported in the U.S. in 2021. The national incidence rate is 2.4 cases per 100,000 people.

Are there different kinds of tuberculosis?

In addition to active or inactive, you might hear about different kinds of TB, including the most common, pulmonary (lung) tuberculosis. But the bacterium can also affect other parts of your body besides the lungs, causing extrapulmonary tuberculosis (or TB outside of the lung). You might also hear about systemic miliary tuberculosis, which can spread throughout your body and cause:

• Meningitis, an inflammation of your brain.
• Sterile pyuria, or high levels of white blood cells in your urine.
• Pott’s disease, also called spinal tuberculosis or tuberculosis spondylitis.
• Addison’s disease, an adrenal gland condition.
• Hepatitis, a liver infection.
• Lymphadenitis in your neck, also called scrofula or TB lymphadenitis.

What causes tuberculosis?

TB is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The germs are spread through the air and usually infect the lungs, but can also infect other parts of the body. Although TB is infectious, it doesn’t spread easily. You usually have to spend a lot of time in contact with someone who is contagious in order to catch it.

How is tuberculosis spread?

TB can be spread when a person with active TB disease releases germs into the air through coughing, sneezing, talking, singing or even laughing. Only people with active pulmonary infection are contagious. Most people who breathe in TB bacteria are able to fight the bacteria and stop it from growing. The bacterium becomes inactive in these individuals, causing a latent TB infection.

As many as 13 million people in the U.S. have latent TB. Although the bacteria are inactive, they still remain alive in the body and can become active later. Some people can have a latent TB infection for a lifetime, without it ever becoming active and developing into TB disease.

However, TB can become active if your immune system becomes weakened and cannot stop the bacteria from growing. This is when the latent TB infection becomes active TB. Many researchers are working on treatments to stop this from happening.

What are the signs and symptoms of tuberculosis?

People with inactive TB do not exhibit symptoms. However, they may have a positive skin reaction test or blood test.

Those with active TB can show any of the following symptoms:

• Bad cough (lasting longer than two weeks).
• Pain in your chest.
• Coughing up blood or sputum (mucus).
• Fatigue or weakness.
• Loss of appetite.
• Weight loss.
• Chills.
• Fever.
• Night sweats.

What kinds of tests are used to diagnose tuberculosis?

There are two kinds of screening tests for TB: the Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST) and the blood test, called the interferon gamma release assay (IGRA).

For the TST, a healthcare provider will inject a small amount of a substance called purified protein derivative (PPD) under the skin of your forearm. After two to three days, you must go back to the healthcare provider, who will look at the injection site.

For the IGRA, a healthcare provider will draw blood and send the sample to the lab.

Further tests to determine if an infection is active or if your lungs are infected include:

• Lab tests on sputum and lung fluid.
• Chest X-ray.
• Computed tomography (CT) scans.

How do I know if I should get tested for tuberculosis?

You may want to get tested for TB if:

• You are a resident or employee in group settings where the risk is high, such as jails, hospices, skilled nursing facilities, shelters and other healthcare facilities.
• You work in a mycobacteriology laboratory.
• You’ve been in contact with someone who’s known or suspected to have TB disease.
• Your body’s resistance to illness is low because of a weak immune system.
• You think you might already have TB disease and have symptoms.
• You’re from a region or have lived in a region where TB disease is prevalent, such as Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Russia.
• You’ve injected recreational drugs.
• Your healthcare provider recommends testing.

Others who are at risk for TB include:

• People with immature or impaired immune systems, such as babies and children.
• People with kidney disease, diabetes, or other chronic (long-term) illness.
• People who have received organ transplants.
• People being treated with chemotherapy for cancer or other types of treatments for immune system disorders.

The incidence rates for minority groups in the U.S. are higher than the incidence rates for whites.

How is tuberculosis treated?

TB infection and disease is treated with these drugs:

• Isoniazid (Hyzyd®).
• Rifampin (Rifadin®).
• Ethambutol (Myambutol®).
• Pyrazinamide (Zinamide®).
• Rifapentine (Priftin®).

You must take all of the medication your provider prescribes, or not all of the bacteria will be killed. You will have to take these medications for as long as you’re told — sometimes up to nine months.

Some forms of TB have become resistant to medications. It’s very important and likely that your provider will use more than one drug to treat TB. It’s very important to finish your entire prescription.

Complications/side effects of treatment

Some people have side effects from the drugs used to treat TB that may include:

• Skin rashes and other reactions.
• Nausea and stomach upset.
• Itchy skin.
• Yellow skin or eyes (jaundice).
• Dark urine.

Talk to your provider about any side effects because some might mean that you’re experiencing liver damage.

How soon after starting treatment for active TB will I feel better?

It will probably take weeks before you start having more energy and fewer days with symptoms. However, it will take longer than that to complete your treatment. You’ll need to take your medications for at least six to nine months.

Can tuberculosis be cured?

Yes, TB is curable.

What can you do to prevent spreading tuberculosis?

You usually have to be in contact with someone with active TB for a long time before becoming infected. It helps to follow infection prevention guidelines like:

• Washing your hands thoroughly and often.
• Coughing into your elbow or covering your mouth when you cough.
• Avoiding close contact with other people.
• Making sure you take all of your medication correctly.
• Not returning to work or school until you’ve been cleared by your healthcare provider.

In the hospital, the most important measures to stop the spread of TB are having proper ventilation and using the correct types of personal protective equipment.

Is there a vaccine to prevent tuberculosis?

Some countries (but not the U.S.) use a TB vaccine called Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). The vaccine is mostly given to children in countries with high rates of TB to prevent meningitis and a serious form of TB called miliary tuberculosis. The vaccine may make skin tests for TB less accurate.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for someone with tuberculosis?

If you have tuberculosis and you’re treated, your outlook is good if you’ve followed directions and taken your medications for as long as you should and in the way you were told.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If you’ve been exposed to TB, you should talk to your healthcare provider right away. They can help you make a decision about getting tested. That decision is more important if you’ve developed any symptoms of illness that could mean you’re contagious. Remember, even though tuberculosis can be treated, it can also be fatal if it’s not treated.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Tuberculosis is an infection that is spread through the air. Even though it can be treated, it’s still responsible for many deaths around the world. Make sure you contact your healthcare provider if you think you’ve been exposed or have symptoms of TB. Also, make sure to follow instructions if you’re treated for TB. Ask your healthcare provider if you have any questions.

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a very contagious respiratory infection that causes a distinctive “whooping” cough. The condition can cause bouts of repeated, violent coughing that may come and go and last for weeks or months. Pertussis can cause severe, life-threatening illness, especially in babies. The pertussis vaccine can help prevent it.

What is whooping cough?

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, is a very contagious upper respiratory infection. It usually gives you lengthy and repeated bouts of coughing. These coughing episodes can continue for weeks or even months after you first develop symptoms of the illness.

Instead of coughing spells, babies with pertussis may have breathing difficulties. This includes conditions such as apnea, when there are pauses in their breathing. Whooping cough can cause serious, life-threatening complications in babies. About one-third of all infants (babies younger than 1 year old) who get whooping cough need treatment at a hospital.

The whooping cough vaccine can help prevent the infection.

What does whooping cough sound like?

Prolonged coughing causes air to be expelled from your lungs. When you gasp for air quickly and deeply after a coughing fit, a whooping cough sound might accompany the inhalation of air. This sound is a loud, high-pitched “whooping” noise. That’s where pertussis gets its name. However, someone may still have the infection without making the noise.

Who does whooping cough affect?

Pertussis can affect anyone, but it most often occurs in babies, children and adolescents. Babies are especially vulnerable to infection because they can’t receive the pertussis vaccine until they’re at least 2 months old. They can catch whooping cough from their parents, adult caregivers or other children.

Can adults get whooping cough?

Yes. But whooping cough in adults is generally milder than in babies and children. This is especially true for adults who’ve received the whooping cough vaccine. The infection may seem more like the common cold. The “whoop” may not be there in people with milder illnesses.

However, adults can develop serious cases of whooping cough, especially if they haven’t received the pertussis vaccine. They may have long-lasting coughing fits that keep them awake all night. People who’ve experienced these coughing bouts say it’s the worst cough of their lives. It can also cause major interruptions in your daily life and serious complications.

How common is pertussis?

Before the development of the pertussis vaccine, there were hundreds of thousands of cases of whooping cough each year in the U.S.

Today, case numbers have dropped significantly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were about 1,600 reported cases of pertussis in the U.S. in 2021.

Every few years, outbreaks occur, and there are peaks in reported cases. In addition, whooping cough continues to be a global endemic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were more than 151,000 cases of pertussis worldwide in 2018.

What are the symptoms of whooping cough?

Early pertussis symptoms may resemble those of the common cold. These symptoms may persist for one to two weeks and may include:

• Slight fever.
• Mild or occasional coughing.
• Runny nose.
• A pause in breathing in babies (apnea).

Whooping cough symptoms after the first or second week have passed usually include:

• Prolonged, repeated or violent coughing episodes (paroxysms) that recur intermittently for up to 10 weeks or more.
• Whooping sound when inhaling after the coughing stops.
• Vomiting.
• Exhaustion due to prolonged coughing.

Symptoms of pertussis begin to lessen after four weeks, although bouts of coughing can recur for months after symptoms start.

What causes whooping cough?

A type of bacteria called Bordetella pertussis causes whooping cough. The condition starts when the bacteria enter your respiratory system. They attach to the tiny, hair-like extensions (cilia) on the lining of your respiratory tract. Then, they release poisons (toxins), which damage your cilia and cause your airways to swell. This swelling causes the secretions of your mucus to increase, which causes severe coughing.

Is whooping cough contagious?

Yes. When you cough or sneeze, you can spread tiny respiratory droplets containing the bacteria into the air. People around you may inhale these bacteria-containing droplets and get infected. You may be contagious even before symptoms appear and remain contagious for up to two weeks after coughing starts.

How is whooping cough diagnosed?

A healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and ask questions about your symptoms. They may use a cotton swab to take a sample of the mucus inside your nose. They can also collect a sample by filling a syringe with saline fluid and flushing it through your nose and the back of your throat.

The provider will send the samples to a lab where a technician will analyze them for the presence of Bordetella bacteria. The provider may also request blood tests to confirm the presence of the bacteria.

What is the treatment for whooping cough?

Whooping cough treatment should begin as soon as possible after diagnosis. A provider will prescribe antibiotics to help prevent the spread of the disease. But antibiotics can’t prevent or treat your cough. Cough syrups and other medicines can’t relieve your coughing spells, so you’ll need to use other forms of home treatment to manage your symptoms.

If you’ve been in close contact with someone infected with pertussis, you should start treating whooping cough within three weeks of exposure. A provider will likely recommend antibiotics as well.

If your baby develops the condition, they may need pertussis treatment in the hospital. Whooping cough can cause life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia or breathing problems. To treat the infection and prevent complications, a healthcare provider will:

• Keep your baby’s breathing passages clear. They may have to suction out mucus.
• Monitor your baby’s breathing. They’ll give them oxygen, if necessary.
• Prevent or treat dehydration. Your baby may need an IV to receive fluids.

How can I prevent whooping cough?

Getting the whooping cough vaccine is the best way to prevent it getting whooping cough. Healthcare providers recommend that all children receive the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTaP) vaccine. This is a combination vaccine that also protects them against diphtheria and tetanus. It’s safe and effective.

Children should receive five injections of the DTaP vaccine, according to the following recommended vaccination schedule:

• First dose: 2 months old.
• Second dose: 4 months old.
• Third dose: 6 months old.
• Fourth dose: Between 15 and 18 months old.
• Fifth dose: Between 4 and 6 years old.

Healthcare providers recommend a booster vaccine for adults because they’re the most likely source of pertussis infection in infants. It’s important that all adults caring for infants receive a booster, as adults’ immunity to pertussis wanes as they get older. Adults who have a whooping cough infection may be told they have bronchitis or a sinus infection, and may unknowingly infect susceptible infants who are at risk for more serious complications.

Adults between the ages of 19 and 64 should receive a one-time booster pertussis vaccine called the Tdap vaccine.

Adults older than 64 years old should also receive a booster vaccine if they’ll come into close contact with babies younger than 12 months old. Pregnant people should receive a Tdap injection during the third trimester (between the 27th and 36th week) of their pregnancies. They must have a Tdap injection during each pregnancy.

The vaccine helps provide babies with short-term protection against whooping cough. It may also protect them against serious complications associated with the infection. If you’re pregnant, you should also make sure family members and caregivers take pertussis precautions by getting vaccinated.

What can I expect if I have whooping cough?

Pertussis may initially look like the common cold. But eventually, the telltale sign of the condition — the whooping cough sound — may develop. With prompt diagnosis, you can start on antibiotics that can help prevent the spread of the infection. But antibiotics won’t treat the cough. Your coughing episodes may last for weeks or even months. Whooping cough is more serious in babies and children, and serious complications can develop.

What are the possible complications of whooping cough?

Whooping cough can lead to serious, life-threatening complications, especially in babies younger than 1 year old. Approximately one-third of infants will need care in the hospital. Of those babies, about:

• 2 in 3 (68%) will develop pauses in their breathing called apnea.
• 1 in 5 (22%) will develop pneumonia.
• 1 in 50 (2%) will have violent, uncontrollable episodes of shaking (convulsions).
• 1 in 150 (0.6%) will develop a brain disease called encephalopathy.
• 1 in 100 (1%) will die.

Adults can also develop complications, but they’re usually less severe. If you have a persistent, violent cough, you may:

• Pass out.
• Break (fracture) a rib.
• Lose your bladder control.
• Lose weight unintentionally.

How do I take care of myself?

If you have whooping cough, there are several steps you can take to help manage your symptoms at home:

• Get plenty of rest.
• Drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Use a cool-mist humidifier to soothe your lungs and loosen mucus in your respiratory tract.
• Take the antibiotics your provider prescribed as directed.
• Don’t take cough medicine unless recommended by your provider.
• Keep your home free from irritants such as smoke and dust that may trigger coughing fits.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

If you develop any signs of dehydration, you should seek advice from your healthcare provider immediately. Symptoms of dehydration may include:

• Dry mouth.
• Excessive thirst.
• Fatigue.
• Peeing less (decreased urination).
• Muscle weakness.
• Headache.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a respiratory infection that can cause severe, prolonged coughing episodes or breathing difficulties. It can cause life-threatening illnesses, especially in babies. If you or your child develop a loud, “whooping” cough or you notice your baby is having trouble breathing, seek treatment right away. And if you haven’t already, get the pertussis vaccine to prevent infection.

Pneumonia is inflammation and fluid in your lungs caused by a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. It makes it difficult to breathe and can cause a fever and cough with yellow, green or bloody mucus. The flu, COVID-19 and pneumococcal disease are common causes of pneumonia. Treatment depends on the cause and severity of pneumonia.

What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection in your lungs caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi. Pneumonia causes your lung tissue to swell (inflammation) and can cause fluid or pus in your lungs. Bacterial pneumonia is usually more severe than viral pneumonia, which often resolves on its own.

Pneumonia can affect one or both lungs. Pneumonia in both of your lungs is called bilateral or double pneumonia.

What’s the difference between viral and bacterial pneumonia?

While all pneumonia is inflammation caused by an infection in your lungs, you may have different symptoms depending on whether the root cause is a virus, bacteria or fungi.

Bacterial pneumonia tends to be more common and more severe than viral pneumonia. It’s more likely to require a hospital stay. Providers treat bacterial pneumonia with antibiotics. Viral pneumonia causes flu-like symptoms and is more likely to resolve on its own. You usually don’t need specific treatment for viral pneumonia.

What are the types of pneumonia?

We categorize pneumonia by which pathogen (virus, bacteria or fungi) caused it and how you got it — community-acquired, hospital-acquired or ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP)

When you get pneumonia outside of a healthcare facility, it’s called community-acquired pneumonia. Causes include:

• Bacteria: Infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria, also called pneumococcal disease, is the most common cause of CAP. Pneumococcal disease can also cause ear infections, sinus infections and meningitis. Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria causes atypical pneumonia, which usually has milder symptoms. Other bacteria that cause CAP include Haemophilus influenza, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Legionella (Legionnaires’ disease).
• Viruses: Viruses that cause the common cold, the flu (influenza), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can sometimes lead to pneumonia.
• Fungi (molds): Fungi, like Cryptococcus, Pneumocystis jirovecii and Coccidioides, are uncommon causes of pneumonia. People with compromised immune systems are most at risk of getting pneumonia from a fungus.
• Protozoa: Rarely, protozoa like Toxoplasma cause pneumonia.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)

You can get hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) while in a hospital or healthcare facility for another illness or procedure. HAP is usually more serious than community-acquired pneumonia because it’s often caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This means HAP can make you sicker and be harder to treat.

Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP)

You can get HCAP while in a long-term care facility (such as a nursing home) or outpatient, extended-stay clinics. Like hospital-acquired pneumonia, it’s usually caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)

If you need to be on a respirator or breathing machine to help you breathe in the hospital (usually in the ICU), you’re at risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The same types of bacteria as community-acquired pneumonia, as well as the drug-resistant kinds that cause hospital-acquired pneumonia, cause VAP.

Aspiration pneumonia

Aspiration is when solid food, liquids, spit or vomit go down your trachea (windpipe) and into your lungs. If you can’t cough these up, your lungs can get infected.

How can I tell if I have pneumonia versus the common cold or the flu?

It can be difficult to tell the difference between the symptoms of a cold, the flu and pneumonia, and only a healthcare provider can diagnose you. As pneumonia can be life-threatening, it’s important to seek medical attention for serious symptoms that could be signs of pneumonia, such as:

• Congestion or chest pain.
• Difficulty breathing.
• A fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.88 degrees Celsius) or higher.
• Coughing up yellow, green or bloody mucus or spit.

Who is most at risk of getting pneumonia?

You’re at an increased risk of pneumonia if you:

• Are over the age of 65 and or under the age of 2.
• Are living with a lung or heart condition. Examples include cystic fibrosis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis or sarcoidosis.
• Are living with a neurological condition that makes swallowing difficult. Conditions like dementia, Parkinson’s disease and stroke increase your risk of aspiration pneumonia.
• Are in the hospital or at a long-term care facility.
• Smoke.
• Are pregnant.
• Have a weakened immune system. You might have a weakened immune system if you’re on chemotherapy, are an organ transplant recipient, are living with HIV/AIDS or are taking medications that suppress your immune system.

How common is pneumonia?

Anyone can get pneumonia. It’s a common illness, with millions of people diagnosed each year in the United States. About 55,000 people die each year of pneumonia in the U.S. It’s the most common cause of death in developing countries.

What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia?

Symptoms of pneumonia depend on the cause. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Babies, young children and older adults may have different symptoms.

Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia

Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop gradually or suddenly. Symptoms include:

• High fever (up to 105 F or 40.55 C).
• Cough with yellow, green or bloody mucus.
• Tiredness (fatigue).
• Rapid breathing.
• Shortness of breath.
• Rapid heart rate.
• Sweating or chills.
• Chest pain and/or abdominal pain, especially with coughing or deep breathing.
• Loss of appetite.
• Bluish skin, lips or nails (cyanosis).
• Confusion or altered mental state.

Symptoms of viral pneumonia

Symptoms of viral pneumonia usually develop over several days. You might have symptoms similar to bacterial pneumonia or you might additionally have:

• Dry cough.
• Headache.
• Muscle pain.
• Extreme tiredness or weakness.

Symptoms of pneumonia in young children

Babies and newborns may not show any symptoms of pneumonia or their symptoms may be different from adults, including:

• Fever, chills, general discomfort, sweating/flushed skin.
• Cough.
• Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing (tachypnea).
• Loss of appetite.
• Vomiting.
• Lack of energy.
• Restlessness or fussiness.

Signs you can look for in babies and young children include:

• Grunting sound with breathing or noisy breathing.
• A decreased amount of pee or diapers that are less wet.
• Pale skin.
• Limpness.
• Crying more than usual.
• Difficulty feeding.

Symptoms of pneumonia in adults over 65

Adults over 65 or those with weakened immune systems may have mild or less noticeable symptoms of pneumonia (like cough and shortness of breath). Symptoms of ongoing health conditions may worsen. Older adults may experience:

• A sudden change in mental state.
• Low appetite.
• Fatigue.

What causes pneumonia?

Pneumonia can develop when your immune system attacks an infection in the small sacs of your lung (alveoli). This causes your lungs to swell and leak fluids.

Many bacteria, viruses and fungi can cause the infections that lead to pneumonia. Bacteria are the most common cause in adults and viruses are the most common cause in school-aged children. Common illnesses that can lead to pneumonia include:

• Common cold (rhinovirus).
• COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2).
• The flu (influenza virus).
• Human metapneumovirus (HMPV).
• Human parainfluenza virus (HPIV).
• Legionnaires’ disease.
• Mycoplasma pneumonia bacteria.
• Pneumococcal disease.
• Pneumocystis pneumonia.
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Is pneumonia contagious?

Pneumonia itself isn’t actually contagious, but the bacteria and viruses that cause it are. For instance, the flu is contagious and can lead to pneumonia, but most people who get the flu won’t get pneumonia.

The bacteria that most commonly causes pneumonia, Streptococcus pneumoniae, can be spread from person to person by touching infected surfaces or through coughing and sneezing.

Pneumonia caused by fungi isn’t contagious. Fungal infections aren’t spread from person to person like viruses and bacteria.

How is pneumonia diagnosed?

To diagnose pneumonia, a healthcare provider will ask about your health history and conduct a physical exam. They’ll listen to your lungs with a stethoscope and may perform or order additional tests. These include imaging (like chest X-rays), pulse oximetry (checking oxygen levels in your blood), blood tests or sputum (spit) tests.

Even if your healthcare provider confirms that you have pneumonia, sometimes, they can’t find the exact cause.

What tests will be done to diagnose pneumonia?

Your provider may perform tests that look at your lungs for signs of infection, measure how well your lungs are working and examine blood or other body fluids to try to determine the cause of your pneumonia. These include:

• Imaging: Your provider can use chest X-ray or CT scan to take pictures of your lungs to look for signs of infection.
• Blood tests: Your provider can use a blood test to help determine what kind of infection is causing your pneumonia.
• Sputum test: You’re asked to cough and then spit into a container to collect a sample for a lab to examine. The lab will look for signs of an infection and try to determine what’s causing it.
• Pulse oximetry: A sensor measures the amount of oxygen in your blood to give your provider an idea of how well your lungs are working.
• Pleural fluid culture: Your provider uses a thin needle to take a sample of fluid from around your lungs. The sample is sent to a lab to help determine what’s causing the infection.
• Arterial blood gas test: Your provider takes a blood sample from your wrist, arm or groin to measure oxygen levels in your blood to know how well your lungs are working.
• Bronchoscopy: In some cases, your provider may use a thin, lighted tube called a bronchoscope to look at the inside of your lungs. They may also take tissue or fluid samples to be tested in a lab.

How is pneumonia treated?

Treatment for pneumonia depends on the cause — bacterial, viral or fungal — and how serious your case is. In many cases, the cause can’t be determined and treatment is focused on managing symptoms and making sure your condition doesn’t get worse.

Some treatments may include:

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics treat bacterial pneumonia. They can’t treat a virus but a provider may prescribe them if you have a bacterial infection at the same time as a virus.
• Antifungal medications: Antifungals can treat pneumonia caused by a fungal infection.
• Antiviral medications: Viral pneumonia usually isn’t treated with medication and can go away on its own. A provider may prescribe antivirals such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), zanamivir (Relenza®) or peramivir (Rapivab®) to reduce how long you’re sick and how sick you get from a virus.
• Oxygen therapy: If you’re not getting enough oxygen, a provider may give you extra oxygen through a tube in your nose or a mask on your face.
• IV fluids: Fluids delivered directly to your vein (IV) treat or prevent dehydration.
• Draining of fluids: If you have a lot of fluid between your lungs and chest wall (pleural effusion), a provider may drain it. This is done with a catheter or surgery.

Can pneumonia go away on its own?

Viral pneumonia often goes away on its own, but you should always follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations to treat symptoms and reduce your risk of serious complications.

How do I manage the symptoms of pneumonia?

Over-the-counter medications and other at-home treatments can help you feel better and manage the symptoms of pneumonia, including:

• Pain relievers and fever reducers: Your provider may recommend medicines like ibuprofen (Advil®) and acetaminophen (Tylenol®) to help with body aches and fever.
• Cough suppressants: Check with your healthcare provider before taking cough suppressants for pneumonia. Coughing is important to help clear your lungs.
• Breathing treatments and exercises: Your provider may prescribe these treatments to help loosen mucus and help you to breathe.
• Using a humidifier: Your provider may recommend keeping a small humidifier running by your bed or taking a steamy shower or bath to make it easier to breathe.
• Drinking plenty of fluids.

How soon after treatment for pneumonia will I begin to feel better?

How soon you’ll feel better depends on:

• Your age.
• The cause of your pneumonia.
• The severity of your pneumonia.
• If you have other health conditions or complications.

If you’re otherwise healthy, most symptoms of bacterial pneumonia usually begin to improve within 24 to 48 hours after starting treatment. You might start to feel better after a few days of treatment for viral pneumonia. Some symptoms, like cough and fatigue, may linger for several weeks.

How long am I contagious if I have pneumonia?

If you have bacterial pneumonia, you’re no longer considered contagious when your fever is gone and you’ve been on antibiotics for at least two days. If you have viral pneumonia, you’re still considered contagious until you feel better and have been free of fever for several days.

How can I prevent pneumonia?

The best way to prevent pneumonia is to get vaccinated against bacteria and viruses that commonly cause it. There are also everyday precautions you can take to help reduce your risk of pneumonia.

Vaccines for pneumonia

There are two types of vaccines (shots) that prevent pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria. Similar to a flu shot, these vaccines won’t protect against all types of pneumonia, but if you do get sick, it’s less likely to be severe.

• Pneumococcal vaccines: Pneumovax23® and Prevnar13® protect against pneumonia bacteria. They’re each recommended for certain age groups or those with increased risk for pneumonia. Ask your healthcare provider which vaccine would be appropriate for you or your loved ones.
• Vaccinations against viruses: As certain viruses can lead to pneumonia, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu can help reduce your risk of getting pneumonia.
• Childhood vaccinations: If you have children, ask their healthcare provider about other vaccines they should get. Several childhood vaccines help prevent infections caused by the bacteria and viruses that can lead to pneumonia.

Other ways to reduce your risk of pneumonia

In addition to getting vaccinated, you can reduce your risk of getting and spreading pneumonia with some healthy habits:

• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Smoking damages your lungs and makes you more likely to get an infection.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before eating, before handling food and after using the restroom. If soap isn’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid close contact and sharing items with other people if either of you has an infectious disease such as the flu, a cold or COVID-19.
• If you have to stay in a hospital or other healthcare facility, don’t be afraid to ask your providers about how to reduce your risk of getting an infection during your stay.
• Eat a healthy diet, exercise and get enough rest.
• Get treated for any other infections or health conditions you may have. These conditions could weaken your immune system, which could increase your chance of pneumonia.
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

What can I expect if I have pneumonia?

If you’re otherwise healthy, you can recover quickly from pneumonia when you get prompt care. However, pneumonia can be life-threatening if left untreated, especially if you have an underlying health condition.

Even people who’ve been successfully treated and have fully recovered may face long-term health issues. After recovering from pneumonia, you may experience:

• Decreased ability to exercise.
• Worsening of cardiovascular disease.
• General decline in quality of life.

Children who’ve recovered from pneumonia have an increased risk of chronic lung diseases.

Follow up with your healthcare provider if you have ongoing health concerns after recovering from pneumonia.

What are possible complications of pneumonia?

Pneumonia can lead to serious complications that can require hospitalization, including:

• Breathing difficulties. Pneumonia can lead to respiratory failure or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
• Fluid around your lungs (pleural effusion).
• Bacteria in your bloodstream (bacteremia), or sepsis. The bacteria that cause pneumonia can enter your bloodstream, spreading the infection to other organs and leading to sepsis or organ failure.
• Lung abscess. Pneumonia can lead to pus-filled holes in your lungs.

When would I need to be hospitalized for pneumonia?

If you have a severe case of pneumonia or complications, you may need to stay in the hospital for treatment. You’re more likely to be hospitalized for pneumonia if you’re:

• Under age 2 or over age 65.
• Have a weakened immune system.
• Have health conditions that affect your heart and lungs.

It may take six to eight weeks to feel back to normal if you’ve been hospitalized with pneumonia.

What can I do to feel better if I have pneumonia?

You can help yourself feel better while you have pneumonia by:

• Managing your symptoms as recommended by your healthcare provider.
• Finishing all medications and therapies prescribed by your provider. Don’t stop taking antibiotics when you start feeling better. Continue taking them until no pills remain. If you don’t take all of your antibiotics, your pneumonia may come back.
• If your provider has recommended over-the-counter medicines to reduce fever (aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen), take them as directed on the label. Never give aspirin to children.
• Getting lots of rest.

If at any time you start to feel worse, call your doctor right away.

What are some signs that pneumonia is improving?

As you begin to recover from pneumonia, your temperature will probably return to normal first. After that, you may notice that you’re coughing up less mucus. Feeling like you’re up to returning to some of your normal activities is a good sign that you’re improving.

When can I return to work, school and regular activities if I have pneumonia?

You can typically resume your normal activities if your symptoms are gone, mild or improving and you don’t have new or worsening:

• Shortness of breath or tiredness (less energy).
• Chest pain.
• Mucus, fever or cough.

If you’re generally healthy, most people feel well enough to return to previous activities in about a week. However, it may take about a month to feel totally back to normal.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

Especially if you’ve been sick or have an underlying health condition, call your doctor if you have new or worsening:

• Shortness of breath.
• Fever or cough with mucus.
• Tiredness (fatigue).
• Have a change in appetite (you feel less hungry).

When should I go to the emergency room?

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you:

• Struggle to breathe or are short of breath while sitting still.
• Have new or worsening chest pain.
• Are confused or can’t think clearly.

Is it possible to have pneumonia without having a fever?

Yes, while fever is common in pneumonia, it’s possible to have pneumonia with a low fever or no fever. This is more likely if you:

• Are older than 65 or younger than 2 (especially newborns and infants).
• Have a weakened immune system.

Is pneumonia treated any differently in children?

Pneumonia isn’t usually treated any differently in children. However, young children can be at higher risk for severe illness from pneumonia. They’re more likely to be hospitalized for treatment than adults.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

With so many causes and varying symptoms, pneumonia can feel confusing. It can be worrying to wonder if your symptoms mean something more serious is going on. A high fever, bloody or unusually colored mucus, chest pain and shortness of breath are symptoms you shouldn’t ignore. Don’t hesitate to get medical attention when your body is telling you that something isn’t right.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of diseases that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Over time, COPD makes it harder to breathe. You can’t reverse lung damage, but lifestyle changes and medication changes can help you manage the symptoms.

What is COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)?

COPD is an umbrella term for a range of progressive lung diseases. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema can both result in COPD. A COPD diagnosis means you may have one of these lung-damaging diseases or symptoms of both. COPD can progress gradually, making it harder to breathe over time.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis irritates your bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from your lungs. In response, the tubes swell and mucus (phlegm or “snot”) builds up along the lining. The buildup narrows the tube’s opening, making it hard to get air into and out of your lungs.

Small, hair-like structures on the inside of your bronchial tubes (called cilia) normally move mucus out of your airways. But the irritation from chronic bronchitis and/or smoking damages them. The damaged cilia can’t help clear mucus.

Emphysema

Emphysema is the breakdown of the walls of the tiny air sacs (alveoli) at the end of the bronchial tubes, in the “bottom” of your lung. Your lung is like an upside-down tree. The trunk is the windpipe or “trachea,” the branches are the “bronchi,” and the leaves are the air sacs or “alveoli.”

The air sacs play a crucial role in transferring oxygen into your blood and carbon dioxide out. The damage caused by emphysema destroys the walls of the air sacs, making it hard to get a full breath.

What’s the difference between asthma and COPD?

Asthma and COPD are similar in many ways, including similar symptoms like shortness of breath and blocked airflow. However, COPD is chronic and progressive. Asthma is often set off by allergens. COPD’s main cause is smoking.

People with asthma don’t automatically develop COPD. People with COPD don’t always have asthma. However, it’s possible to have both of these respiratory conditions. If you do have both, you need to treat both.

How common is COPD?

Statistics put the number of Americans diagnosed with COPD at about 15 million people in 2020 with another 12 million not yet diagnosed.

Who gets COPD?

The primary, or main, cause of COPD is smoking. But not all smokers develop the disease. You may be at higher risk if you:

• Are someone who was assigned female at birth.
• Are over the age of 65.
• Have been exposed to air pollution.
• Have worked with chemicals, dust or fumes.
• Have alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT), a genetic risk factor for COPD.
• Had many respiratory infections during childhood.

What causes COPD?

Smoking tobacco causes up to 90% of COPD cases. Other causes include:

• Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, a genetic disorder.
• Secondhand smoke.
• Air pollution.
• Workplace dust and fumes.

Smoking

Tobacco smoke irritates airways, triggering inflammation (irritation and swelling) that narrows the airways. Smoke also damages cilia so they can’t do their job of removing mucus and trapped particles from the airways.

AAT deficiency

AAT (alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency) is an uncommon, inherited disorder that can lead to emphysema. Alpha-1 antitrypsin is an enzyme that helps protect your lungs from the damaging effects of inflammation. When you have AAT deficiency, you don’t produce enough of alpha-1 antitrypsin. Your lungs are more likely to become damaged from exposure to irritating substances like smoke and dust. It’s not possible to distinguish COPD related to alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency from common COPD. Therefore, all people with COPD should get screened for AAT deficiency with a blood test.

What are the signs and symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

• Cough with mucus that persists for long periods of time.
• Difficulty taking a deep breath.
• Shortness of breath with mild exercise (like walking or using the stairs).
• Shortness of breath performing regular daily activities.
• Wheezing.

When should I call my healthcare provider if I have COPD symptoms?

If you’re having any of the signs or symptoms of COPD, don’t wait for your next appointment to call your provider. Report these symptoms promptly, even if you don’t feel sick. Don’t wait for symptoms to become so severe that you need to seek emergency care. If you notice your symptoms early, your provider might change your treatment or medications to relieve your symptoms. (Never change or stop taking your medications without first talking to your healthcare provider.)

Note: Remember that warning signs or symptoms might be the same or different from one flare-up to another.

Nonemergency care

Talk to your provider on the phone within 24 hours if you have these changes in your health:

Shortness of breath that has become worse or occurs more often

Examples include:

• Unable to walk as far as you usually could.
• You need more pillows or have to sit up to sleep because of breathing difficulty.
• You feel more tired because you’re working harder to breathe.
• You need breathing treatments or inhalers more often than usual.
• You wake up short of breath more than once a night.

Sputum (mucus) changes

Examples include:

• Changes in color.
• Presence of blood.
• Changes in thickness or amount. You have more mucus than usual or more than you’re able to cough out.
• Odor.

Other signs and symptoms should prompt a call to your provider regarding COPD

These include:

• More coughing or wheezing.
• Swelling in your ankles, feet, or legs that is new or has become worse and doesn’t go away after a night’s sleep with your feet up.
• Unexplained weight loss or gain of 2 lbs. in a day or 5 lbs. in a week.
• Frequent morning headaches or dizziness.
• Fever, especially with cold or flu symptoms.
• Restlessness, confusion, forgetfulness, slurring of speech or irritability.
• Unexplained, extreme fatigue or weakness that lasts for more than a day.

How is COPD diagnosed?

To assess your lungs and overall health, your healthcare provider will take your medical history, perform a physical exam and order some tests, like breathing tests.

Medical history

To diagnose COPD, your provider will ask questions like:

• Do you smoke?
• Have you had long-term exposure to dust or air pollutants?
• Do other members of your family have COPD?
• Do you get short of breath with exercise? When resting?
• Have you been coughing or wheezing for a long time?
• Do you cough up phlegm?

Physical exam

To help with the diagnosis, your provider will do a physical exam that includes:

• Listening to your lungs and heart.
• Checking your blood pressure and pulse.
• Examining your nose and throat.
• Checking your feet and ankles for swelling.

Tests

Providers use a simple test called spirometry to see how well your lungs work. For this test, you blow air into a tube attached to a machine. This lung function test measures how much air you can breathe out and how fast you can do it.

Your provider may also want to run a few other tests, such as:

• Pulse oximetry: This test measures the oxygen in your blood.
• Arterial blood gases (ABGs): These tests checkyour oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This test checks heart function and rules out heart disease as a cause of shortness of breath.
• Chest X-ray or chest CT scan: Imaging tests look for lung changes that COPD causes.
• Exercise testing: Your provider uses this to determine if the oxygen level in your blood drops when you exercise.

What are the stages of COPD?

COPD can gradually get worse. How fast it progresses from mild to severe varies from person to person.

Mild COPD (stage 1 or early stage)

The first sign of COPD is often feeling out of breath with light exercises, like walking up stairs. Because it’s easy to blame this symptom on being out of shape or getting older, many people don’t realize they have COPD. Another sign is a phlegmy cough (a cough with mucus) that’s often particularly troublesome in the morning. These are early warning signs of COPD.

Moderate to severe COPD (stages 2 and 3)

In general, shortness of breath is more evident with more advanced COPD. You may develop shortness of breath even during everyday activities. Also, exacerbations of COPD — times when you experience increased phlegm, discoloration of phlegm, and more shortness of breath — are generally more common in higher stages of COPD. You also become prone to lung infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.

Very severe COPD (stage 4)

When COPD becomes severe, almost everything you do can cause shortness of breath. This limits your mobility. You may need supplemental oxygen from a portable tank.

How is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease managed?

COPD treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, such as coughing and breathing problems, and avoiding respiratory infections. Your provider may recommend:

• Bronchodilators: These medicines relax airways. You inhale a mist containing bronchodilators that help you breathe easier.
• Anti-inflammatory medications: You inhale steroids or take them as a pill to lower inflammation in the lungs.
• Supplemental oxygen: If blood oxygen is low (hypoxemia), you may need a portable oxygen tank to improve your oxygen levels.
• Antibiotics: COPD makes you prone to lung infections, which can further damage your weakened lungs. You may need to take antibiotics to stop a bacterial infection.
• Vaccinations: Respiratory infections are more dangerous when you have COPD. It’s especially important to get shots to prevent flu and pneumonia.
• Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation programs teach effective breathing strategies to lessen shortness of breath and on conditioning. When maintained, fitness can increase the amount you can do with the lungs you have.
• Anticholinergics: These drugs relax the muscle bands that tighten around the airways and help clear mucus from the lungs. Relaxed muscles let more air in and out. With the airways open, the mucus moves more freely and can therefore be coughed out more easily. Anticholinergics work differently and more slowly than fast-acting bronchodilators.
• Leukotriene modifiers: These medications affect leukotrienes, chemicals that occur naturally in the body that cause tightening of airway muscles and production of mucus and fluid. Leukotriene modifiers block the chemicals and decrease these reactions, helping improve airflow and reducing symptoms in some people.
• Expectorants: These products thin mucus in the airways so you can cough it out more easily. You should take these medications with about 8 ounces of water.
• Antihistamines: These medicines relieve stuffy heads, watery eyes, and sneezing. Although effective at relieving these symptoms, antihistamines can dry the air passages, making breathing difficult, as well as causing difficulty when coughing up excess mucus. Take these medications with food to reduce upset stomach.
• Antivirals: Your provider might prescribe these to treat or prevent illnesses caused by viruses, most frequently to treat or prevent influenza (“the flu”). Influenza is particularly dangerous for people who have COPD.

For severe COPD, your provider may suggest you consider a clinical trial (tests of new treatments) or lung surgery if you’re a candidate.

How can I avoid COPD?

Not smoking is the best thing you can do to avoid developing COPD. If you’d like to quit, smoking cessation programs can help you. Also, avoid any environment that has poor air quality — air that has particles like dust, smoke, gases and fumes.

Why should people with COPD watch for signs of infection?

People with COPD have difficulty clearing their lungs of bacteria, dusts and other pollutants in the air. This makes them at risk for lung infections that may cause further damage to the lungs.

Therefore, it is important to watch for signs of infection and follow these tips to help prevent infections. You probably won’t be able to avoid infections entirely, but these tips will help you prevent infections as much as possible.

What are warning signs of an infection, especially if I have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

While you can treat most infections successfully, you must be able to recognize an infection’s immediate symptoms for proper and effective care. These may include:

• Increased shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or wheezing.
• Coughing up increased amounts of mucus.
• Yellow- or green-colored mucus (may or may not be present).
• Fever (temperature over 101°F) or chills (may or may not be present).
• Increased fatigue or weakness.
• Sore throat, scratchy throat or pain when swallowing.
• Unusual sinus drainage, nasal congestion, headaches or tenderness along upper cheekbones.

If you have any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away, even if you don’t feel sick.

What can I do to prevent infections, especially if I have COPD?

There are things you can do to help prevent infections, including the following items.

Hand washing

Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water, especially before:

• Preparing food.
• Eating.
• Taking medications or breathing treatments.

Wash your hands thoroughly after:

• Coughing or sneezing.
• Using the bathroom.
• Touching soiled linens or clothes.
• After you’ve been around someone with a cold or the flu.
• After you’ve been to a social gathering.

It is also good to carry waterless hand sanitizers with you to use when necessary.

Visitors

If visitors have cold or flu symptoms, ask them not to visit until they are feeling well.

Environment

• Keep your house clean and free from excess dust. Keep your bathrooms and sinks free from mold or mildew.
• Don’t work in or visit any form of a construction site. Dust can be harmful. If you absolutely must go near this type of area, wear a mask provided by your doctor.
• Avoid air pollution, including tobacco smoke, wood or oil smoke, car exhaust fumes and industrial pollution, which can cause inhaled irritants to enter your lungs. Also, avoid pollen.
• Make sure your cooking vent is working properly so it can draw cooking fumes out of your house.
• If possible, try to stay away from large crowds in the fall and winter when the flu season is at its peak.

Equipment care

• Keep breathing equipment clean.
• Don’t let others use your medical equipment, including your oxygen cannula, metered-dose inhaler (MDI), MDI spacer, nebulizer tubing and mouthpiece.

Diet

• Try to eat a balanced diet.Good nutrition is important to help the body resist infection. Eat foods from all the food groups. Some people find that eating more fats and fewer carbohydrates helps them breathe better. This is due to the amount of carbon dioxide produced during food metabolism. Talk to a registered dietitian to make the smartest choices.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Aim for at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses per day (unless your doctor gives you other guidelines). Water, juices and sports drinks are best.

Other general health guidelines

• Don’t rub your eyes, as this can transmit germs to your nasal passages via the tear ducts.
• Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke (the smoke from a burning cigarette or cigar and the smoke exhaled by a smoker) are important steps you can take to protect your lungs from infection.
• Follow your doctor’s medication guidelines.
• Get enough sleep and rest.
• Manage your stress.
• Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about getting a flu shot every year and get the pneumonia vaccine if you haven’t had one.
• Be careful to avoid infection when traveling. In areas where the water might be unsafe, drink bottled water or other beverages (order beverages without ice). Swim only in chlorinated pools.

What is the outlook for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

COPD progresses at a different rate for every person. Once it progresses, you can’t reverse the lung damage from COPD but, by following a healthy lifestyle and getting treatment as early as possible, you can manage symptoms and feel much better.

Life expectancy for someone with COPD varies from person to person. It depends on how early your provider finds the disease, your general health (including other diseases you might have), and how you manage your treatment. Some people live quite a long time after diagnosis. Other people, with more severe disease, don’t fare as well.

When should I call my provider if I have COPD?

Call your provider if you experience any of the warning signs of an infection. Also, call your provider if you have any symptoms that cause concern.

How can I manage COPD at home?

You can take several steps to make breathing easier and slow the progression of the disease:

• Quit smoking.
• Take prescribed medications as directed by your provider.
• Ask your doctor about a pulmonary rehabilitation program, which teaches you how to be active with less shortness of breath.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Get an annual flu shot.
• Avoid air polluted by chemicals, smoke, dust or fumes.

How can I avoid irritants that might make COPD worse?

The lungs of people with COPD are sensitive to certain substances in the air, such as cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes, strong perfumes, cleaning products, paint/varnish, dust, pollen, pet dander and air pollution. Extreme cold or hot weather conditions can also irritate your lungs.

You can avoid some of these irritants by:

• Asking those around you not to smoke.
• Sitting in nonsmoking sections of public places.
• Requesting smoke-free hotel rooms and rental cars.
• Avoiding underground parking garages.
• Avoiding high traffic or industrialized areas.
• Not using perfumes, scented lotions or other highly scented products that may irritate your lungs.
• Using nonaerosol cleaning or painting products in well-ventilated areas and wearing a mask or handkerchief over your mouth when cleaning (dusting, vacuuming, sweeping) or working in the yard.
• Reducing exposure to dust by regularly changing filters on heaters and air conditioners and using a dehumidifier.
• Keeping pets out of the house, especially if you wheeze.
• Using an exhaust fan when cooking to remove smoke and odors.
• Staying indoors when the outside air quality is poor and pollen counts are high.
• Following weather reports and avoiding extreme weather. During cold weather, cover your face when going outdoors. During extreme humidity, try to stay in air-conditioned areas.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes lung damage that you can’t reverse. However, you can learn to manage symptoms. You’ll breathe easier if you take the necessary steps to support your lung capacity and fight lung irritation. By getting treatment early, you’ll have the best chance of continuing to do the things you love.

Allergies are your body’s reaction to normally harmless substances. Allergy symptoms range from mild to life-threatening. Treatments include antihistamines, decongestants, nasal steroids, asthma medicines and immunotherapy.

What are allergies?

Allergies are your body’s reaction to a foreign protein. Usually, these proteins (allergens) are harmless. However, if you have an allergy to a particular protein, your body’s defense system (immune system) overreacts to its presence in your body.

What is an allergic reaction?

An allergic reaction is the way your body responds to an allergen.

If you have allergies, the first time you encounter a specific allergen, your body responds by creating immunoglobulin E (IgE). Your immune system makes antibodies to form IgE.

IgE antibodies bind to mast cells (allergy cells) that live in your skin, respiratory tract (airways) and the mucus membrane in the hollow organs that connect to each other from your mouth to your anus (gastrointestinal or GI tract).

The antibodies find the allergens in your body and help remove them by taking them to the mast cell (allergy cell), where they attach to a special receptor. This causes the allergy cell to release histamine. Histamine is what causes your allergy symptoms.

How common are allergies?

Allergies are very common.

More than 50 million people in the United States have an allergic reaction each year. They’re the sixth-leading cause of long-term illness in the United States.

Who do allergies affect?

Allergies can affect anyone.

You’re more likely to have or develop allergies if your biological parents have allergies.

What are the most common allergies?

The most common allergies include:

Certain foods

Food allergies develop when your body releases a specific antibody to a particular food. An allergic reaction occurs within minutes of eating the food, and symptoms can be severe. Symptoms may include:

• Itching all over your body (generalized pruritus).
• Itching in just one certain part of your body (localized pruritus).
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Hives.
• Swelling around your mouth, including your throat, tongue or face.

If you have an IgE-mediated food allergy, symptoms may also include anaphylaxis. It may present as any one of the above symptoms or a combination of the above symptoms. It usually occurs within 30 minutes of ingesting a food you’re allergic to.

In adults, the most common food allergies are:

• Milk.
• Eggs.
• Wheat.
• Soy.
• Peanuts.
• Tree nuts.
• Shellfish.

In children, the most common food allergies are:

• Milk.
• Eggs.
• Wheat.
• Soy.
• Peanuts
• Tree nuts.

Inhalants

Inhalant allergies are airborne substances that you inhale (breathe in). They include allergens that may affect you throughout the year (perennial allergens) and seasonal allergens.

Inhalant allergy symptoms include:

• Runny nose.
• Stuffy nose.
• Itchy nose.
• Sneezing.
• Itchy eyes.
• Watery eyes.

If you have asthma, inhalant allergies can also trigger or worsen your symptoms, including wheezing and shortness of breath.

Perennial allergens include:

• Pets. Pet allergens include certain proteins in animal fur, skin (dander), urine (pee) and saliva (spit).
• Dust mites. Dust mites are tiny, eight-legged relatives of spiders. They’re too small to see with your eyes. They live in dust and the fibers of household objects, such as pillows, mattresses, carpets and upholstery.
• Cockroaches. Cockroaches are reddish-brown insects that are 1.5 to 2 inches (in) long. The proteins in their feces (poop), spit, eggs and dead body parts can cause allergic reactions.
• Molds. Molds are tiny fungi (plural of fungus). They have spores that float in the air, like pollen. Common mold allergies include Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Alternaria.

Seasonal allergies include pollens. Pollen is microspores from trees, grass or weeds that appear as a fine dust on surfaces or float in the air. Tree pollens generally appear in the spring, while weed pollens generally appear in the fall.

Medications

Certain medications can cause an allergic reaction. The medicines may be herbal, over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription.

Common medications that cause allergies include:

• Antibiotics.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
• Insulin.
• Chemotherapy drugs.

Symptoms include:

• Rash.
• Hives.
• Itching.
• Shortness of breath.
• Swelling.

Latex

Latex allergies develop after repeated contact with natural rubber latex.

Common natural rubber latex products include:

• Rubber gloves.
• Balloons.
• Condoms.
• Bandages.
• Rubber balls.

The most common reaction to latex is skin irritation (contact dermatitis). It manifests as a rash on the area of skin that touched the latex. It may develop within minutes of exposure to latex. Other symptoms may include:

• Hives.
• Runny nose.
• Itchy nose.
• Difficulty breathing.

Venoms/stinging insects

Stinging insects can inject venom, which is a toxic substance. The venom in insect stings can cause an allergic reaction. The most common stinging insects that cause allergic reactions include:

• Bees.
• Fire ants.
• Hornets.
• Wasps.
• Yellow jackets.

Venom symptoms are consistent with anaphylaxis. They may include:

• Difficulty breathing.
• Hives.
• Swelling in your face, mouth or throat.
• Wheezing.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Rapid pulse.
• Dizziness.
• Drop in blood pressure.

Can allergies cause a fever?

No, allergies can’t cause a fever.

What causes allergies?

Allergies develop when your immune system reacts to a foreign substance or protein.

Are allergies contagious?

No, allergies aren’t contagious. You can’t spread your allergies to another person.

How are allergies diagnosed?

If you think you have allergies, don’t wait to see if your symptoms go away. If your symptoms last longer than a week or two or tend to come back during certain times of the year, make an appointment with an allergist.

An allergist is a healthcare provider who specializes in allergies. They can help diagnose your allergies through tests.

How do I test for allergies?

There are different types of allergy tests. The most common allergy tests are skin prick tests and blood tests.

Skin prick (scratch) tests can identify the allergens that cause your allergy symptoms. An allergist will use a thin needle to prick your skin with a tiny amount of different possible allergens. They then check to see if your skin reacts to the allergen.

Blood (IgE) tests can also identify allergies. However, they’re not as sensitive as skin prick tests. Blood tests evaluate IgE antibodies that your immune system produces against a specific protein.

How are allergies treated?

Avoiding allergens is an important treatment approach. However, it often doesn’t completely end allergic reactions. Over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications are also a solution to managing your allergies. These may include:

Antihistamines

• Fexofenadine.
• Loratadine.
• Cetirizine (All Day Allergy-D® or Zyrtec®).

Nasal sprays

These medications are very effective and safe to use daily but they may take a few days to a week to kick in.

• Fluticasone nasal spray (Flonase® or ClariSpray®).
• Cromolyn sodium.
• Antihistamine nasal sprays

Decongestants

These medications should be used cautiously when treating allergies due to higher side effects and concerns related to long-term use.

• Oxymetazoline.
• Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE® or Sudogest PE®).
• Pseudoephedrine (Contac® or Sudafed®).

Asthma medications

• Inhaled or oral bronchodilators.
• Inhaled steroids.
• Oral antileukotrienes, including montelukast, zafirlukast and zileuton.
• Injected drugs, including omalizumab, dupilumab or benralizumab.

Immunotherapy

A healthcare provider may recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots) and/or sublingual immunotherapy (allergy drops) if you can’t manage your allergy symptoms through over-the-counter and prescription medications and avoiding allergens. The provider will expose you to small amounts of allergens and gradually increase the dosage over several months. Gradual exposure creates a tolerance to the allergen.

Nasal saline irrigation

A neti pot is an over-the-counter device that pushes a saline (salt) solution through your nasal passages. It helps clear out mucus and allergens trapped inside your nasal passages.

What is the best treatment for allergies?

Nasal steroid sprays are generally the most effective medication for people with allergic rhinitis symptoms. Antihistamines block some of the effects of histamine and may offer additional benefits. Immunotherapy helps create a tolerance to allergens and can improve many of the symptoms related to inhalant allergy exposure.

Remember, your body is unique. What over-the-counter or prescription medications work for one person may not work well for you.

Talk to a healthcare provider. They can help recommend the best treatment for you.

What can/can’t I eat/drink if I have food allergies?

If you have food allergies, avoid any products that contain the allergens. By law, manufacturers must include all ingredients on the label of packaged foods for sale in the United States.

You should also consider other possible food allergy exposures. Some nonfood items may contain food allergens, and labeling laws don’t apply to nonfood items.

During the manufacturing process, some food items share equipment or surfaces. Look for labels that state whether the product shared equipment with possible food allergens.

How can I prevent allergies?

The best way to prevent allergies is to avoid allergens. You can also take antihistamines or other medications daily to help control your symptoms and reduce your allergic reaction.

If you have animal allergies, avoid petting, hugging or kissing animals. Don’t allow them in your bedroom or on your furniture.

Regularly vacuuming rugs, carpets and other surfaces helps remove dust, animal dander, pollen and other allergens.

High-efficiency particulate (HEPA) air filters can also help. These air purifiers remove airborne allergens from your environment.

What can I expect if I have allergies?

Living with allergies can be challenging. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. However, with caution, you can lead a fulfilling life. Your healthcare provider can recommend resources, support groups and specialists to help you.

How long can allergies last?

Your allergies will last as long as your allergen exposure. Once you’re no longer around allergens, your symptoms should go away after a few hours. However, if you have inhalant allergies, your symptoms may last for several days or longer due to ongoing exposure to pets, dust mites and pollens.

Can children outgrow allergies?

Yes, some children can outgrow their allergies. However, it depends on the type of allergy and the severity of your child’s allergy.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Go to the ER or call 911 immediately if you start showing symptoms of anaphylaxis.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?

• How can you tell that I have allergies?
• What am I allergic to?
• Do I have mild, moderate or severe allergies?
• What medications do you recommend?
• Should I take allergy medications every day or only when I develop symptoms?
• What’s the complete list of side effects of your recommended allergy medication?
• Can you recommend an allergist?
• Can you recommend a dietitian?

What is the difference between a cold and allergies?

A cold is a contagious upper respiratory infection. Viruses cause colds.

Allergies are your immune system’s response to an allergen. Viruses aren’t allergens.

A cold shares many of the same symptoms as allergies. These include sneezing, runny nose, cough and congestion. However, there are differences between cold symptoms and allergy symptoms.

• Mucus. If you have allergies, your mucus is usually clear and watery. If you have a cold, your mucus is generally thicker and discolored (yellow or green).
• Eyes. If you have allergies, your eyes may be itchy, watery or red. These symptoms don’t usually develop if you have a cold.
• Duration. Without treatment, allergy symptoms may last for weeks or months until you’re no longer around the allergen. Cold symptoms usually go away after about 10 days.

A note from QBan Health Care Services

Allergies occur when your immune system mistakenly triggers an allergic reaction to an allergen. Allergic reaction symptoms include congestion, watery eyes, a runny nose, vomiting and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis.

Allergies can be incredibly frustrating if you don’t know what’s triggering your immune system. However, a healthcare provider can help provide relief. They can conduct tests to pinpoint your allergies and prescribe medications. They can also refer you to specialists or support groups.