A girl I’m living with has had a chest infection for a couple of days and now I’ve started coughing 
can chest infections be dangerous to us?? I already have asthma aswell… Can it cause complications?? If so what do I do to stop it getting worse?? I’m scared
I had a chest infection for a few months, I received it after a person had pneumonia and was breathing and coughing around me. Not, sure if your situation is the same, ask your doctor.
Hey. I just got out the hospital for asthma flare hun. I weez like crazy and the nebulizer machine did nothing to help. If your inhaler and machine doesn’t work then by all means go straight to the doctor or emergency room. I am sick with it again and on antibiotics and prednizone and advair and still no relief. You need to understand that with your situation, everything you catch will be worse than a normal person getting sick. Keep your health a priority. If you have a doubt, call your doctor. Never neglect your health because it can cause you to be put into a worse situation than you want to ever be in. Please don’t be scared though. It’s one day at a time and we need to make the best of every one of them. Asthma flares are bad right now so please take care of yourself and don’t be scared.to get taken care of when you need it. Good luck and many prayers for you hun. Shoot for me too.
Hello Cayleigh,
I know it's hard to keep from other's who are ill but we need to keep a distance from anyone carrying anything regarding colds etc, as our bodies don't recognize them to fight them and because they enter we as foreign bodies then Lupus attacks our bodies and makes we ill.
You need to see your GP straight away as chest infections can make we ill...i had one bad not long back and after 3 lots of antibiotic's it did'nt remove and i had the cough for 3mths bad and then i was sent for an x-ray which stated i had a sever chest infection besides COPD lung disease.
The following link below explains everything covering chest infections if ignored, so see your doctor ASAP.
http://www.lupus-support.org.uk/Lung.htm
Terri xxx
Tez 20, hey are you a smoker by chance? I sadly am and almost finished. On medicine to help.
Hello Destiny,
Yes i am and smoking more at the moment through so many issues with my body and skin driving me mad...patches helped me pack up 5yrs back for 5mths but the old depression kicked off and that was it again, i've told the doctor's i can't do it as i need the relief and they understand now.
Well i really do hope you pack up as smoking does'nt help we but over the years i went on a right cocktail of antidepressents drugs which did'nt help and there's no meds to help me otherwise, so a fag helps which is bad to say :)
Destiny Scott said:
Tez 20, hey are you a smoker by chance? I sadly am and almost finished. On medicine to help.
You need to start using very sanitary cleaning protocols. You should wear a mask when around her or ask her to wear a mask around you. Put hand sanitizer everywhere and use it after touching anything she had touched. Keep toiletries tucked away where she can’t cough on or near them.
With lupus, you are susceptible to ANY illness, bacterial or viral, especially if you are taking any biologics or medications like Plaquenil. They all lower your immune system activity and prevent your body from fighting away illness.
I don’t take any chances and I don’t care what people think. It comes down to protecting myself so I can be there for my daughters and my husband. Do whatever it takes to protect yourself.
Your friend also needs to understand how her illness can affect you. Hopefully she won’t mind be extra careful while cleaning up after herself.
Good luck and get to your doctor as soon as you can to get ahead of the infection.
Amy well said my friend 
...and your right who cares what other's think as we suffer deeply already with Lupus besides extra germs being thrown at we :)
Amy said:
You need to start using very sanitary cleaning protocols. You should wear a mask when around her or ask her to wear a mask around you. Put hand sanitizer everywhere and use it after touching anything she had touched. Keep toiletries tucked away where she can't cough on or near them.
With lupus, you are susceptible to ANY illness, bacterial or viral, especially if you are taking any biologics or medications like Plaquenil. They all lower your immune system activity and prevent your body from fighting away illness.
I don't take any chances and I don't care what people think. It comes down to protecting myself so I can be there for my daughters and my husband. Do whatever it takes to protect yourself.
Your friend also needs to understand how her illness can affect you. Hopefully she won't mind be extra careful while cleaning up after herself.
Good luck and get to your doctor as soon as you can to get ahead of the infection.
Yeah I use hand sanitizer like its going out of fashion and I do have some medical masks so I might have to wear it… I fortunately don’t smoke so I don’t have that to worry about… I’m going to see if the pain goes and if it doesn’t by tomorrow I will definately be seeing a doctor… I’m no longer coughing I think that was just my asthma but it does hurt a little still when I breathe in… Could it just be that pleurisy thing?? What do I do if I suspect it?? Thanks for all your replies 
sorry for asking so many questions on here aswell
Don’t worry about being sorry. That is what this site is for dear. Do you have pleurisy? Then I would think that would be the source of the pain or it could be from coughing. I know when I cough a lot, my chest gets sore. Glad you don’t smoke dear. I want to quit but it’s my only vice. I used to drink and quit and I smoked marijuana briefly because it was the only thing that would make me feel like I could function normally, I quit that too because unless it’s prescribed, I can get in trouble and don’t need that. Different things help every one differently. I just found out that I shouldn’t even be on Prednisone because I have kidney problems. It’s all a process. We all have ups and downs but I believe we are all survivors with a story to tell. Make yours wonderful. Do what the doctors suggest and if you don’t think it’s right for you then find a new doctor. I know it’s scary to not know wjlhat to expect but wake up everyday with a positive attitude and it can make a differnce. Sorry for rambling lol. I just want you to feel good about your life and yourself. I went into this not knowing anything and was struggling for many years. We are blessed that medicine has come so far and we have a greater chance at a better life. Glad the cough let up.
Tez, well I’m glad the doctors are being understanding for you. It’s hard when you have to give up things. I wish you well with the COPD. My dad has it and it’s tough. Both my parent have or had emphysema and I am trying to avoid it. Anyway, thanks for letting me know your story. Now I don’t feel so bad that I am struggling to quit.
Cayleigh,
It depends on if it is viral or bacterial. Regardless, distance, constance hand washing, NOT touching your face are all things that can help as well as wearing a surgical mask (available at any drugstore). The problem with chest infections is that they can go from 0-60 overnight, so please watch it closely. 3 severe bouts of pnuemonia (ICU) make me very wary of being around people aith infection. My mother-in-law swears by putting a bit of Neosporin on the inside of her now with a Q-tip so that any bacteria is killed befor it enters the sinus cavity.
Looking at all of the replies, I think it's pretty clear that distance and cleanliness of paramount. Also, if you feel any tightening in the chest or have difficulty breathing do not wait, get to the Dr. ASAP.
Good health,
DeAnne
DeAnne, does that work, the Neosporin? I never thought of that. Don’t think it would hurt to try. I am about to be like Michael and just wear a darn mask.
It hurts when I breathe in so I will get a doctors appointment or go to the hospital thanks for all your help guys
Good luck hun
Hello Destiny,
I look at it this way, every illness in life as issues to it that make it worse and regarding Lupus it's smoking and depression...god we mays well slit our throats if we pack up issues that e enjoy in life just because a disease is trying to take we over.
Sorry your parents had COPD also, it's bronchitis and emphysema mixed which causes COPD well i've add bronchitis since my early 20's.
Destiny don't ever feel bad about what you do or trying to do, we're here to support one another and not judge :)
Destiny Scott said:
Tez, well I'm glad the doctors are being understanding for you. It's hard when you have to give up things. I wish you well with the COPD. My dad has it and it's tough. Both my parent have or had emphysema and I am trying to avoid it. Anyway, thanks for letting me know your story. Now I don't feel so bad that I am struggling to quit.
Cayleigh which ever you do all the best of luck and update we please but if the pain gets more severe then hospital as there's a large possibility of pleurisy as i've had it several times myself.
((Hugs Terri)) xxx
cayleigh said:
It hurts when I breathe in so I will get a doctors appointment or go to the hospital thanks for all your help guys
I've tried it and it seemed to. I know that there are some other products that are specifically for this issue, but Neopsporin, especially the drugstore brand, can be so much less expensive. Certainly worth a try.
Please let us know.
DeAnne
Thanks Tez dear!
If there is anyone that's got the info, it's Terri. She is a font of info.