Fortunately,
they do not attack when body resistance is high. When, however, resistance is
lowered-by fatigue, poor nutrition, emotional turmoil, or another infection -a
lung infection can strike suddenly. The most common lung infections are
pneumonia and tuberculosis.
Today, they can be treated effectively with
medications chosen to combat the involved organisms. But much can be done to
prevent their development through following the rules of good nutrition,
reasonable everyday living with a balance of work, rest, and relaxation, and by
paying attention to prompt and proper treatment of minor infections.
If you are
a worker in any industry where dust, gases, and smoke are inhaled, you should
recognize the possibility of harm. By all means, check to determine whether
increasingly stringent health laws aimed at minimizing or eliminating risk are
being followed to the letter by your employer. If they are not being followed,
it is a matter that should be brought to the employer's attention and, if
necessary, to the attention of health authorities.
If they are being followed
and yet some risk remains, if you even suspect that you may be suffering some
ill consequences, it is imperative to see your physician. It may be necessary,
particularly if you happen to be especially sensitive to any specific
materials, to change your job if your health is to be protected. We would like
to emphasize here, too, that the moisture content (humidity) of air can
influence health.
There is considerable individual variation. Some people feel
well in cold weather areas where the indoor air is extremely dry because of
heating. Other people notice that this dry atmosphere irritates nose and
throat. They react very much better when using humidifying devices now
available commercially in many forms.
