Mild emphysema

[retatinob2]

I had a ct scan that said I have mild emphysema even though I am young and never even smoked. Does that make me high risk in regards to Covid

[specialmom]

Gosh, how old are you?  You've never smoked and have emphysema?  Are you around smokers?  I've always read that second hand smoke can also cause emphysema in people.  Most unfortunate if that is the case!  Living in a really polluted air with low air quality can also cause it.  Here's information on emphysema.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/emphysema/symptoms-causes/syc-20355555  Use your inhaler if they prescribed that for you.  Are you currently symptomatic?  Anyway, with regards to covid 19, it's a respiratory (and more, apparently) illness.  So, yes, having a lung condition will put you at greater risk.  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html  You need to make sure to socially distance, be around people who take it seriously and wear a mask and avoid anyone sick or outside your circle socially if you can.  

[retatinob2]

I’m in my 30’s. I have a chronic cough and my doctor had a X-ray and ct scan done and the diagnosis was made. I have questioned it myself. How can I have that diagnosis without smoking? My family doesn’t smoke either. They had me see a lung specialist who looked at the actual imaging and said that the diagnosis is correct, the ct scan is consistent with emphysema. They did like it is no big deal because it is mild and they didn’t have me follow up with them again

[specialmom]

Well, that's a bummer.  No idea how this happened but I do think the air we breath is going down in quality in a lot of places.  Yes, unfortunately you will need to be more careful about covid.  Wear your mask, distance and avoid crowds.  It's rough, I know.  but it's for your own good.  As you are otherwise very healthy, you should be fine but you are at higher risk than the person without mild emphysema.  You'll want to also talk to your doctor about how to prevent it from getting worse as you get older.  Glad you aren't symptomatic at this point!

[retatinob2]

Okay thanks