COVID-19
This summer, vaccination is the key to outdoor fun Experts have a simple message for young people itching to get out and enjoy the summer: Get the jab! There’s an energetic feeling in the air this year as we kick off summer. After many long months of sacrifice to bring COVID-19 cases down, people of […]
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians. CF mainly affects people’s lungs and digestion. People with CF have an unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs their lungs, makes it hard to breathe, and can lead to life-threatening lung infections. CF also affects the pancreas: thick secretions there stop the […]
Common Cold
The common cold is probably the most common respiratory (breathing) disease. Many different viruses can cause a cold; over a hundred cold viruses (rhinoviruses) have been identified so far. How do you catch a cold? Cold viruses are very contagious — it’s easy to catch them from other people. When someone has a cold, there […]
CROUP
Seek emergency medical help right away if your child has any of the following signs or symptoms: drooling or trouble swallowing blue lips/fingers high fever — above 39°C (102°F) difficulty breathing, the skin between the ribs pulls in with each breath a high-pitched, squeaking sound when your child takes a breath (stridor) Prevention Symptoms Diagnosis […]
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung diseases where people have difficulty breathing because their airways have been narrowed. It includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Approximately 2 million Canadians live with COPD, and as many as 1 million suffer while remaining undiagnosed and untreated. The […]
Chronic Cough
It is normal to cough occasionally, especially if you have a cold, flu or allergies. Coughing has a purpose. It is your body’s way of keeping unwanted stuff from getting into your lungs. Coughing helps clear extra mucus from your airways (small tubes in your lungs). This extra mucus could be caused by smoking, a cold, nasal […]
