Lung News & Features

February 20, 2024 — Respiratory virus levels remain high, although the worst of this winter seems to have passed, the CDC says.

January 19, 2024 — Doctors are reporting high levels of COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as other “flu-like illnesses” that cause similar symptoms, such as the common cold, other coronaviruses, and parainfluenza viruses.

November 17, 2023 — An additional 770,000 doses of a monoclonal antibody treatment called Beyfortus, which can be given to babies shortly after birth, are being sent to doctor’s offices and hospitals. The drug can reduce the risk of serious complications from RSV by as much as 75%.

October 11, 2023 — Like the common cold, RSV generally causes mild symptoms that clear up in a week or so. But, much like the flu, for those who are older and less healthy, RSV can present significant risks.

October 10, 2023 — For the first time, two preventive treatments are available that dramatically reduce the risk of severe RSV.

October 5, 2023 — The most effective way to protect yourself from the worst of this season’s viruses is to get vaccinated, agency leaders said.

September 6, 2023 — An increase in cases of respiratory syncytial virus in Florida and Georgia signals that RSV season has begun.

August 16, 2023 — You know vegetables are good for you. But now, research shows that some may protect your lungs.

June 19, 2023 — Air purifiers spiked consumer interest post-pandemic as people sought cleaner air that lowered complications from illnesses such as COVID-19.

June 2, 2023 — Lung problems in Black people are widely underdiagnosed or missed altogether because racist medical ideas stretching back centuries have been programmed into medical software used today, a new study shows.

May 9, 2023 — Tuberculosis cases in the United States rose last year, particularly among young children, the Centers for Disease control says in a new report.

April 26, 2023 — What do scientists know about the harms of vaping? Evidence is still inconclusive and mostly based on cell and animal research, but these early studies show that vapers will likely face long-term health woes.

April 25, 2023 — Patients are still suffering from the effects of lung damage linked to vaping, and have been largely ignored by researchers and the government.

April 19, 2023 — Almost 120 million people in the United States, or more than 1 in 3, live amid unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to the American Lung Association’s new “State of the Air” Report.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and progressive disease that’s hard to diagnose. But early treatment is key. Here’s a look at how PAH affects people of color and what can be done to improve health outcomes.

Learn about the health disparities affecting people with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and see which solutions are working to stop inequalities in care.

Shipping industries boomed during the pandemic. Without the protection of a gutted Environmental Protection Agency, communities next door are paying the price.

A lung specialist explains two common tests doctors use to monitor your PAH.

November 11, 2022 — People with respiratory disorders (like asthma, COPD, sinusitis, or allergies) or who may be dealing with long-term effects of COVID-19 often find breathing difficult in colder temperatures.

Staying active can benefit your condition. Learn ways to get moving safely.

Know what to look for and which steps to take when your pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment isn't going the way it should.

Nicole Creech was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension 12 years ago, and she’s still going strong.

CBD products abound, in all kinds of forms. Despite marketing claims, there’s no proof they’ll help lung disease. Learn the facts on CBD and where research stands.

If you have a lung disease like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it’s important to take steps to protect yourself from COVID-19 and other viruses. But you might be wondering if wearing a face mask to lower your risk of illness will make it harder to breathe, or even make your lung disease worse.

Chronic lung disease can make you feel breathless and sap your muscle tone. You may be afraid to exercise or do the activities you once enjoyed. Exercise is not only safe with lung disease, it improves your breathing, strength, and self-esteem. Find out how to get back into exercise if your lung disease has sidelined you recently.

Many people newly diagnosed with lung disease want answers now, rather than finding them out on their own later. Learn what to ask your doctor upfront, and how to gather other tools to manage lung disease.

During a crisis, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Left unrecognized or ignored, anxiety and stress can have negative consequences on your physical, emotional, and mental health. Try these five strategies to manage your feelings.

Many people have been hospitalized, and some have died from vaping illness. But how do you know if you have it? Here’s what to look out for.

June 3, 2019 — Legionnaires is caused by the Legionella bacteria, which can grow in water in building cooling systems. It's spread as people inhale contaminated water droplets, according to the CDC.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) can make breathing difficult. But along with the right treatments, exercise can make you breathe a little easier.

When you have PAH, a few key lifestyle strategies can help you thrive.

Anxiety and panic are normal reactions to feeling you can’t get your breath. It’s also hard to watch someone you care for struggle to breathe. WebMD offers tips that COPD patients and caregivers can use during episodes of breathlessness.

The most important thing anyone with COPD who smokes can do is quit smoking. The second most important thing is to be in a smoke-free environment. Whether you have COPD or are caring for someone with COPD, find out what the experts say about how to quit smoking and make it last.

Cigarette smoke and other irritants can build up indoors, causing allergic reactions, asthma, even lung cancer. Learn about your risk factors and what to do.

Will SARS hit hard again this year or in the future? Experts go over what happened and what may be next.

As experts are learning, the list of infectious diseases borne from animals is by no means complete.

A device the size of a soda can may help buy time for people who need lung transplants.