Pneumonia and COPD Posted or Updated on 16 Sep 2024

Our colleagues in Public Health are predicting a surge in the number of people who will get pneumonia over the next couple of weeks. It is important that if you have COPD that you ensure you have sufficient supply of inhalers and your other medication (including your rescue pack of antibiotics and steroids) and that you try and avoid mixing with people who already have coughs and colds over this time. Can we also take this opportunity to remind you to ensure you have had your flu vaccine this year and that you have had your pneumococcal vaccine in the past. Finally if you are still smoking we would encourage you to consider stopping to help your chest, discuss this at the surgery when you next attend.

For those who don't have COPD please contact us if you have a cough and fever that seems worse than usual, particularly if you are getting short of breath.

You may also find the following links helpful for further advice and guidance on antibiotic prescribing in community acquired pneumonia and COPD;

Visual summary CAP https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng138/resources/visual-summary-pdf-6903410941

Visual summary COPD https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng114/resources/guide-to-resources-pdf-6602624893