90% of those living with sarcoidosis experience lung involvement. FSR is proud to partner with Walgreens to raise awareness of the spring respiratory vaccines, which include RSV and Pneumonia.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus that typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover within two weeks. However, certain groups, such as infants, young children, older adults, and those who are immunocompromised – like those with sarcoidosis – are more likely to develop severe infections including bronchiolitis (an inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumococcal pneumonia.
Pneumonia is a lung disease caused by streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria that can infect the upper respiratory tract and spread to the blood, lungs, middle ear or nervous system. Pneumonia leads to over 150,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths annually. This is also a primary concern for those who have complex lung diseases, like sarcoidosis.
What is Sarcoidosis?
Sarcoidosis (pronounced SAR-COY-DOE-SIS) is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by the formation of granulomas—tiny clumps of inflammatory cells—in one or more organs of the body. When the immune system goes into overdrive and too many of these clumps form, they can interfere with an organ’s structure and function. When left unchecked, chronic inflammation can lead to fibrosis, which is the permanent scarring of organ tissue. This disorder affects the lungs in approximately 90% of cases, but it can affect almost any organ in the body. Despite increasing advances in research, sarcoidosis remains difficult to diagnose with limited treatment options and no known cure.
Most common symptoms include:
- chronic fatigue
- shortness of breath
- dizziness
- heart palpitations
You can learn more about sarcoidosis symptoms, diagnosis, and how it impacts different organs by visiting the hyperlinked pages above.
“FSR is proud to partner with Walgreens again this year and for their dedication to raising awareness for sarcoidosis especially with the upcoming Sarcoidosis Awareness month this April. FSR is grateful to all the Walgreens stores helping those in their communities learn more about sarcoidosis and the importance of vaccinations for those impacted by chronic heart and lung diseases like sarcoidosis.”
-Mary McGowan, Chief Executive Officer of FSR
