[Click! Health] Increase in Respiratory Diseases Without Masks... "Chronic Patients Should Wear Masks"

Increase in Droplet-Transmitted Viruses: Cold, Flu, and Pneumonia

Last month, most indoor mask mandates were lifted, but advice has emerged emphasizing the need for chronic disease patients to be cautious of contagious respiratory illnesses. It is also suggested that mask-wearing can be beneficial for these individuals.

[Image courtesy of Ewha Seoul Hospital]

Professor Lee Chaeyoung of the Department of Pulmonology at Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital explained, "With the lifting of the mask mandate and the start of the new school semester, cold viruses transmitted through droplets can easily spread. Since there are many types of cold viruses with diverse symptoms and no effective vaccines or appropriate treatments, caution is necessary."

Colds, which present symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, and headache, usually improve within a week. However, one can also contract influenza caused by the influenza virus, with higher incidence rates from October to May when the weather is cold and dry. Professor Lee added, "The difference between the flu and the common cold is that the flu shows more pronounced systemic symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, and headache rather than respiratory symptoms like runny nose, cough, and sore throat."

Attention should also be paid to pneumonia, an inflammation of the lung tissue below the bronchi caused by bacteria or viruses. Pneumonia rarely occurs in healthy individuals but is more likely in people aged 65 and older, smokers, alcoholics, patients with respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic disease patients like those with diabetes, and immunocompromised individuals. Professor Lee emphasized, "Unlike a cold, pneumonia involves persistent high fever above 38 degrees Celsius and cough with thick yellow purulent sputum even after 2-3 days, and in severe cases, chest pain and difficulty breathing may occur. In elderly patients, symptoms such as loss of appetite and decreased energy may appear instead of fever and respiratory symptoms, so caution is needed."

Therefore, it is advised that patients with chronic respiratory diseases must wear masks as a necessity. This is because patients already suffering from illnesses have weakened immune systems. In particular, patients with underlying chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and interstitial lung disease should be especially careful.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a condition characterized by persistent airflow limitation and respiratory symptoms caused by abnormalities in the airways and alveoli induced by inhalation of harmful particles or gases, typically developing after the age of 40. It is characterized by chronic shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production. Professor Lee said, "Shortness of breath is the most important symptom of COPD and worsens when walking quickly or climbing slopes, while it is less severe at rest. Coughing may be the first symptom but is often ignored as being due to smoking."

Additionally, bronchial asthma is an airway disease where the bronchial response to external stimuli is increased, often caused by allergies in the bronchi. Chronic inflammation in the airways leads to increased mucus secretion and swelling of the airway walls, causing spasms that narrow the airways. Professor Lee stated, "The biggest cause of asthma attacks is the common cold, but other factors include exercise, pollen, house dust mites, animal fur and excrement, mold, air pollution, irritating odors, cigarette smoke, food additives, and yellow dust. Typical symptoms of asthma include sudden onset of shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing at night or early morning."

Professor Lee emphasized, "Although the mask mandate has been lifted, elderly people aged 65 and over, immunocompromised individuals, and those with chronic respiratory diseases should wear masks even outdoors. Masks are most effective in preventing viral infections when worn by everyone, but they also provide protection when worn alone." She added, "In spring, dry air causes fine dust and particles to float in the atmosphere, and pollen begins to spread, which can worsen symptoms in chronic respiratory disease patients. Wearing masks helps block these factors as well."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.