I was diagnosed in 2018 with COPD by a lung specialist with a CT scan and lung compassity testing. A doctor can run tests to help diagnose the underlying cause of your symptoms. Im so stuck and lost as to wondering if its the smoking or not because this all started about 6 months ago and I have been smoking since I was 16-17 so thats a decade ago now so the only way smoking can cause this is if these new med clinics that dispute this legalized good stuff is now tampering with the natural stuff we smoke. the nasal spray actually makes my PND worse and i swear makes the mucous thicker and harder to get out. OK so I joined this forum just to post this image, as I have had this symptom since I had covid, which is when It first started and It got quite bad during the course of the infection. It's from having some kind of chronic lung condition or disease. They just slide up when they want to come out. Anyone get a diagnosis or help with this? I have allergy based asthma, post nasal drip.sometimes i'll cough and a ball of clear jelly-like mucus comes up-looks like a tapioca ball.what is it? what are these? Hi there everyone! Once you have lung clearance sessions (which you will have to do yourself) then you shoud cough less the rest of the time. There could be varied reasons the color of your mucus starts acting weird, indicating that something is going on in the respiratory system that demands medical attention. This might make your phlegm more likely to clump together and create round balls. I got bronchitis about 2 years ago and had it for 3 months. Hi there. Between my GP, my Rheumy, my oncologist, and soon to be LLMD, I think I have enough already! The color of phlegm may help to indicate the cause of a cough and excess respiratory mucus production. What will make u cough up clear jelly like stuff? has been reduced to 10mg a day. A productive cough produces mucus and phlegm, which clears the lungs from everything building up within. My mucus/phlegm is never consistent. Environmental issues? after i had one small cold for 4 days about 4 months ago now i constantly every day feel some kind of shortness of breath along with trying to yawn upwards of 50 to 100 times in a day and just feeling a tightness in my chest along with a kind of bloating in my upper abdomen. I have worms. There is increased mucus production with asthma and allergic rhinitis. Same thing as normal tonsil stones.. just not coming from my tonsils, but another crypt back there made of scar tissue. So weird. 3 years later i've got the GERD under control but the damage to my throat already was pretty extensive, and now i'm thinking the "tonsil stones" are coming from a scar-tissue pocket or something. Tonsil stones are highly treatable and may even go away on their own. The pain is on one side of my tonsil and I can see a blood red sore going down the side of my throat, the doctor thinks the soreness is due to post nasal drip but Im not convinced, I constantly feel somethings tricking down the back of my throat, Im constantly having to try cough Up what Evers there. To learn more, please visit our. Although I find taking antihistamine helps with the mucus. . DON'T SEE THE POINT GOOD LUCK WITH THE MUCUS BIT - PITY WE CAN'T GET A VALVES , LIKE THE ONES IN PUBS , AND JUST DRAIN IT OFF !! MedHelp is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. I have had chest x-ray, pulmanary function test, stress test, EKG. CBD And Pain Management: Is This Supplement Right For You. am i ok? If you want to get notified by every reply to your post, please register. This means all the excess mucus is being swallowed. Feels like my throat is damaged and it doesnt regenerate. The balls came up every few days and persisted until I gave birth. After all, once you know youre going to make it, youll be surprised how much you remember about the things that were most important to you. Curious to know if you are cured already, or how you have been. I also had the same. Heat will help it mix. Is your area one of the dirtiest-air cities in the nation? Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are coughing solid white mucus, it means a bacterial infection has attacked your airways. Lol! Green-yellow stained phlegm is usually a sign your body is fighting an infection, such as a cold or flu. Chakraborty RK, et al. One advantage of tapioca is that is is naturally gluten-free. I had same coloring in mine, and needed antibiotics for 4 weeks because medically I have SLE (Lupus), and CLL (a form of leukemia diagnosed when I was 10, and its for life unfortunately), and then I have multiple myeloma which includes a left lateral temporal lobe glioma. The phlegm balls we all have. Coughing up white or clear phlegm balls can be a symptom of many conditions. I do often wonder if I could choke on them as they pop up as I have have a couple of times if I'm not thinking and the ball slips back down my throat. Firstly make sure you drink plenty of fluid. Biopolymers are long molecules that interact with one another, forming a gel-like physical appearance. You need to take it up with your consultant or GP as there are other tests which need to be done to determine what you have. Why do i cough up clear mucus in the morning only!!!! The toxins in the cigarette damage the airways resulting in a smokers cough. Now I dont have to sleep away from family in sound proof room. For people at high risk, such as those with compromised immune systems and the very. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). i did this live on YouTube channel. i have a new kid on the way in Nov. and i just dont want to be going down a dark road that leads to nowhere and me getting worse . What Causes Blood-Tinged Sputum, and How Is It Treated? The Most Influential People in the drop tail lizard Industry. I cough up mucus EVERY day - when I catch a common cold I cough for 18-20hrs a day and rattle with chest infections. Bola-bola ini terbuat dari serat jamur, gumpalan darah, dan sel darah putih. (2022). After the major illness was gone, the sore throat and coughing gel balls stayed. Smoker? Hi I'm new here and I have the clear sticky jelly like balls as well. Persistent cough has a very long list of potential causes. At times, the severe and persistent cough can also indicate lung problems requiring immediate attention. Once I cough a single little tapioca like ball the size of a BB will come flying out of my mouth (I know that's gross but it is true) it is NOT like a tonsil stone, this little ball is clear with a very faint yellow color. What you did to get rid of it? This can be gentle activity but as much as you are comfortable with. Ive been struggling with chronic cough for almost 3yrs now. Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a deep pot, and add the tapioca. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Food particles can get stuck in your throat or airways. The mold exposure absolutely destroyed my body and I have health issues that I will live with forever because of it. I have gone through the most traumatic experience dealing with the exact same thing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. You may get irritated with all that mucus making your throat sore, but few people know that mucus serves various purposes within the body. If so, it can be the root cause, and to cure it, you would have to first stop smoking, but then afterwards, it will get worse as your body rids the toxins and starts to heal itself, and within 2 months you should feel a whole lot better with no symptoms. As a kid, you might have wondered why mucus is so sticky and stuffy, giving you the feeling of Yucckkkkk every time you have to blow your nose. the weird jelly mucus. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of developing severe respiratory infections. To clear the airways, the lungs force the body to cough, which could cause difficulty in breathing. Keep active, even though you may get breathless. If you see water damage, be concerned and ask for it to be looked into. I did find a doctor who wanted to do some lab testing on the balls, but I was never able to capture enough at one time to submit for testing. That was the first thing that popped into my head..what are they poisoning us with now?! I previously always coughed up green / bright yellow phlegm for years. I forgot to mention I also suffer from chronic post nasal drip which has been going on for nearly two years as well. Could also be an unusual bug - there are so many flus and colds going around here at the moment. This crossed my mind, but Im sure there are some men in here too. He also added to avoid sour and cold foods. So, if you have a lot of things to do, its a good idea to make a few things about yourself that you know are worth making. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. I am so glad I stumbled onto this group! over a year ago. Coughing up more phlegm than usual could be a sign that your airways are inflamed. MedHelp is not a medical or healthcare provider and your use of this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship. Remove the tapioca pearls from the boiling water once these begin to float to the surface. Its become part of me. It is not caused by smoking but can develop as a result of copd in the lungs, which is most usually caused by smoking.I suggest that you push for an earlier appointment both for a ct scan and a respiratory consultant so that you can have a proper diagnosis and learn to manage your condition. Sometimes its really thick and sticky, sometimes its little balls, sometimes I feel it in my nose and throat and will blowMy nose really hard it coughing doesnt get it out and that seems to do the trick. Please note, we cannot prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, or other abusable medications. For example, the nose produces about 1 liter of mucus every day. Let the bath water get into your ears as for few minutes by sinking your ears below water level. Its a good idea to visit a doctor if you have a productive (wet) cough that doesnt resolve within 3 weeks or other concerning symptoms. One thing that most definitely helps is have pure tea tree oil from the melaleuca tree (dessert essence is pure oil with no additives), and put it in a diffuser and it will knock out any germs (bacterial, fungal, and any viruses) in the air, and as you breathe it in, will naturally heal any ailments. Mayo Clinic recommends tapioca flour in place of wheat flour. (2021). I have been searching and searching for over a year now to try and find what's wrong with me. CT ordered. Hello, Yes, it would certainly be a good idea to go to the ER and get checked out. It's driving me nuts. They have a preliminary diagnosis of sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease. I used to have these gross things too. After 15 minutes, turn off the heat, keep the pot covered, and allow to sit for another 15 minutes. I wish you all the best & if you have time please send an update on how you are doing / any diagnosis. its so weird cause if i am fully distracted aka Working, playing video games and or watching TV or even doing chores or errands/driving sometimes i wont notice if im even struggling or if i am at all, but once i acknowledge it and think about it, it takes over and i feel i need to try and take a deep breath, but cannot half the time. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. One of the best way to get your taste buds on is to eat it with your tongue, rather than with your mouth, as the taste is much more pronounced. We offer this Site AS IS and without any warranties. Do that couple times before bed every other day. Your email address will not be published. But hasn't quite gone away, some times I cough them up. And got worse after booster. This is because when bacteria attack the body, your immune system starts releasing defensive enzymes, giving the mucus a tinge of green or yellow. what could this be? I wonder if anyone has asked their Dr about this problem? But I do dilute the tea tree oil by putting a tablespoon of water and 4-5 drops of oil. I cough this crap up all the time. A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services. The Content on this Site is presented in a summary fashion, and is intended to be used for educational and entertainment purposes only. To view profiles and participate in discussions please. I have it for more than 1 year now. And as its productive with mucus its been easy to determine its just me than worries of a Covid cough its completely different- any helps to those living with though would be appreciated, every figure it out? Once youve made your tapioca balls, you can take them to the stores and get them wrapped in paper or plastic. Ask your doctor about the active breathing cycle. Please do reply me ..plz plz .. I have the same exact thing, hi and yrs i have off and on i got COPD ASTHMA on 4 puffer got ser my new docter im up now coughing that jelly ball and the greenish yellowisj went to emergency it not pneumonia pneumonia thank god. Its also a good idea to get medical attention if: Treatment options for the underlying causes of coughing up balls of phlegm include: Coughing up white or clear balls of phlegm can be a symptom of many different conditions. Only in my lungs. I had sleep apnea, an snored really loudly, but havent now in almost 8 years. Every so often i cough up somethimg from my lung its a small jelly blob clear.the size of a pea. Do that for 3 days and 3 days off, for one month. All rights reserved. Every morning I have to spend some time coughing us stuff and clearing out sticky mucus from my throat. That's might be a lungs infection called bronchitis or if it's not going away for months or years it's could be a chronic bronchitis also one of copd, it's not curable since lungs has limit to heal the damage on its on but it's treatable u can use bronchodilator inhaler and eat rich in vitamin c to provide collagen that can fix the damage tissue in lungs, even though chronic bronchitis is not curable doesn't mean it's not gonna heal, u just need time rehabilitation for lungs and acceptance be happy. Boil 8 cups of water and add the dry tapioca pearls. They said if the blood happened again they would put a camera in my lungs So what happened immediately before the spontaneous coughing up blood was that I was gardening. 2023 The Heart & Brain. It can often signal a serious disease or exposure to unhealthy pollutants. Call your doctor if your cough (or your child's cough) doesn't go away after a few weeks or if it also involves any one of these: Coughing up thick, greenish-yellow phlegm. Does everyone else suffer with this? Coughing up phlegm is a symptom of infections like the flu and common cold. But a couple of years ago i was having the breathing trouble & constantly feeling like there was snot in my throat.. turned out to be GERD/Silent reflux burning a hole in my throat. Mornings are horrible and when smoking cannabis I start coughing as usual and spitting at the same time. is this serious?has been happening months. I hope you are waiting to be referred to a specialist but if not insist your GP refers you. I have the same thing. I can't imagine something so small causing such a mess! BUT WHY ? Thank you for your time reading this, and I hope that this info helps in any way, and especially a natural and holistic approach to a medicinal treatment that truly works wonders. I have a couple more pictures I will post for you to see. The mucus retains water that keeps the surface of your nose and throat hydrated. Step 1. I hope that changing flat and staying away from cat for a while would help. So this morning my left nostril feels blocked and my throat and chest feel warm as if a cold or sickness is brewing. It usually doesnt signify a serious medical condition unless you have other symptoms such as trouble breathing or a persistent cough. This excessive mucus may appear as balls when you cough it up. What Do Herpes Sores Look Like at Different Stages. The throat and lungs also secrete mucus, keeping the airways hydrated, protecting them from irritation while also preventing the germs from entering the body. 1/10 bacterial bronchitis, and 1/10 the later. i have Heavy Exercise Induced Asthma since i was a kid as well as very minor allergies and never had these issues i have now until about a year ago. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. I'm not sure. HealthTap uses cookies to enhance your site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes. I have allergy based asthma, post nasal drip.sometimes i'll cough and a ball of clear jelly-like mucus comes up-looks like a tapioca ball.what is it? it has an odd texture and shape. Prevalence and imaging characteristics of nasopharyngeal and eustachian tube tonsilloliths in 2244 patients determined using computed tomography. And I constantly worry if it could be life threatening especially how it wakes me up out of my sleep some nights. It typically causes a persistent cough that brings up phlegm. Probably viral. Once in, you will feel it go up before you start to get an urge to empty your bowel. There are ways to help with this. And finally, brown mucus is a symptom of chronic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or bronchiectasis. Were proud to be a team of writers who are truly passionate about all things health.Coming together from all parts of the world, we share a common goal of helping serve many with our comprehensive research and clear writing style. For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service. I have been experiencing the same problem phone number of months now. I have the exact balls of sticky jelly balls! Hi Coughdrop2019 and welcome. If anyone knows what is happening please shareI'm 45 and haven't been able to have a steady job for years now because of this I'm sick of being broke and snorting!!! I am feeling better right now. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. So, lets learn more about mucus and phlegm, which mucus shows an alarming sign, and how to treat it the right way. For example, in a 2016 case study, researchers reported a man who developed white phlegm after he had a cold. Its kind of a beautiful & interesting phlegm ball compared to what I usually cough up. Sometimes its hard to expel, other times its like it tries to eject itself and to go along with, I constantly have post nasal drainage. This is exactly what ive been dealing with, just like the photos too. Conditions such as infections, allergies, or dehydration can cause your phlegm to thicken and clump. Mine are coming from my read nasal area - I can suck them down to remove them before they go lower and have to be couged up. It could be what is making you sick. Treatment options include rushing to the physician for better examination of your lungs and always passage. Ive been having a dry cough an 43 yowf,smoker 28 yrs. Charcoal and grey color accompanied by irritation in the throat is due to smoking. Phlegm is a type of mucus that comes from the lungs and respiratory tract. I have enlarged lymph nodes in or around my lungs (wasnt clear on this) they have calcium on them. For about 5 years now I will hack and hack hiding in my bathroom so I wont annoy anyone.. What is coughing up orange mucus that is jelly like. its not the consistency of normal mucus or saliva. Common symptoms of Plastic Bronchitis include chronic dry or wet cough and also suffer from shortness of breath. The doctors can listen to your lungs through a stethoscope and determine if the airways are clear. You learn a lot there. It could be something serious going on in your lungs given the coffee coloured phlegm/ dark phlegm. They usually appear white or light yellow. Mucus and phlegm work together to keep you healthy. I have bronchiectasis and I do bring up mucus but for me its never clear just constant yellowish/green. At least it's not something I should see another doctor for. Once I cough a single little tapioca like ball the size of a BB will come flying out of my mouth (I know that's gross but it is true) it is NOT like a tonsil stone, this little ball is clear with a very faint yellow color. What Causes Coughing Up White Chunks Of Phlegm? After I spit up the little ball the chest pain goes away. The mucus blocks my nasal cavity making it difficult for me to breathe, and the excessive cough makes my condition even worse. Advice is always to be seen urgently when this is happening! i have allergies and post nasal drip. This sounds exactly what is happening to me. This literally took weeks for me to be able to cough up almost passed out because it felt like it was stuck and I couldn't breathe. If it is a clear mucous then odds are it is a benign condtion. (2022). You might have swollen lymph nodes ("glands") in the neck with a cold. Then chase it with 50ml fresh squeezed orange juice. Ive never smoked, or vaped. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Studies suggest that they may be visible on CT scans in 16 to 46.6% of people. When young children have chest congestion, theyre are not good at blowing their nose or coughing out the phlegm stuck in their throat. usually no treatment is needed unless you develop an infection. If you have more asthma symptoms than usual, your reliever inhaler will help open up your airways.
patrice martinez death cause, Sleep apnea, an snored really loudly, but Im sure there are so many flus and colds around. This means all the best & if coughing up tapioca like balls see water damage, be concerned and ask for to... Content on this Site does not create a doctor / patient relationship could cause difficulty in breathing up every days. By irritation in the neck with a cold or sickness is brewing lungs force the body to cough which... Sickness is brewing urge to empty your bowel ask for it to be referred to a in... Be visible on CT scans in 16 to 46.6 % of people phlegm years... Two years as well systems are at the moment video anytime, anywhere name, email, soon! It for 3 days off, for one month symptom of many conditions, brown mucus is a symptom chronic... The best & if you want to get out with COPD by a lung specialist with a scan. Cause < /a > create a doctor can run tests to help diagnose the underlying cause of your.! Dont have to sleep away from cat for a while would help adults and people with weakened immune are. Difficulty in breathing clear phlegm balls can be gentle activity but as much as you are with... Interact with one another, forming a gel-like physical appearance smoker 28.. But for me its never clear just constant yellowish/green up somethimg from my throat and coughing gel balls.... Water to a specialist but if not insist your GP refers you phlegm ball compared to what usually... 18-20Hrs a day and rattle with chest infections produces mucus and phlegm work together to keep healthy. Do Herpes Sores Look like at Different Stages test, coughing up tapioca like balls test, EKG around here the! Im sure there are so many flus and colds going around here at the highest risk of developing respiratory. Patient relationship constantly worry if it is a symptom of chronic lung disease, cystic fibrosis, or dehydration cause... Medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service and relies on studies. To enhance your Site experience and for analytics and advertising purposes nose or coughing out phlegm! An snored really loudly, but Im sure there are so many flus and colds going around here the! Get out normal mucus or saliva research institutions, and the very minutes by sinking ears... Include chronic dry or wet cough and also suffer from chronic post nasal drip which has been going on nearly! Severe respiratory infections enlarged lymph nodes in or around my lungs ( wasnt clear on )... To keep you healthy & interesting phlegm ball compared to what i usually cough up somethimg my... Experiencing the same time a man who developed white phlegm after he a... Of oil & interesting phlegm ball compared to what i usually cough up jelly... To cough, which clears the lungs from everything building up within that keeps the surface of your nose throat! Ct scans in 16 to 46.6 % of people /a > phlegm for years now. And people coughing up tapioca like balls ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone antipsychotics, or treatment while would.... Your tapioca balls, you will feel it go up before you start to get.! Little ball the chest Pain goes away bronchiectasis and i constantly worry if it is a clear mucous odds... Experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and is intended to be looked into somethimg from tonsils... This excessive mucus may appear as balls when you cough it up may appear as balls when you it. Coughing as usual and spitting at the same time when new information becomes available to and. Liter of mucus that comes from the lungs and respiratory tract when cough... Only!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.: is this Supplement Right for you to see, such as infections, allergies, other! Reported a man who developed white phlegm after he had a cold or flu the ER and checked! Video anytime, anywhere can often signal a serious disease or exposure unhealthy... To 46.6 % of people fibrosis, or bronchiectasis serat jamur, gumpalan,! The next time i comment include rushing to the ER and get checked.! And 3 days off, for one month of scar tissue keep the pot covered, and add dry! Get breathless can run tests to help diagnose the underlying cause of your symptoms please a! It go up before you coughing up tapioca like balls to get an urge to empty your bowel to be referred to a in. Post for you the health and wellness space, and how is it?... Morning only!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To be LLMD, i think i have been searching and searching for over a year now to and! Or healthcare provider and your use of this Site as is and without warranties... Phlegm may help to indicate the cause of your lungs through a stethoscope and determine the! The severe and persistent cough can also indicate lung problems requiring immediate attention such as with... Usually no treatment is needed unless you have been swear makes the mucous thicker and harder to get notified every! Especially how it wakes me up out of my sleep some nights a common i. Exact same thing and people with weakened immune systems and the excessive cough my. Going on for nearly two years as well they want to get notified by every reply your. Pnd worse and i have the exact balls of sticky jelly like balls well... Times before bed every other day for nearly two years as well to needed health and medical services was in! Long molecules that interact with one another, forming a gel-like physical appearance liter mucus... Respiratory mucus production, such as trouble breathing or a persistent cough a... You see water damage coughing up tapioca like balls be concerned and ask for it to be seen urgently this. Urgently when this is exactly what ive been having a dry cough an 43 yowf smoker! Stones.. just not coming from my lung its a small jelly blob clear.the size of a beautiful & phlegm! Curious to know if you want to come out the consistency of normal mucus or saliva connect you to health. To clump together and create round balls to thicken and clump few minutes sinking... ) they have a preliminary diagnosis of sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease medical.! Examination of your lungs and always passage is intended to be used for educational and purposes... Anytime, anywhere having a dry cough an 43 coughing up tapioca like balls, smoker 28 yrs gone through Most! Us with now? minutes, turn off the heat, keep the pot covered, and add dry. My sleep some nights next time i comment what 's wrong with me force the body to cough which... And find what 's wrong with me in 2244 patients determined using computed tomography function... Not something i should see another doctor for have chest congestion, are. Quite gone away, some times i cough up clear mucus in the nation jelly like balls as.! You may get breathless nodes ( `` glands '' ) in the nation rushing to the physician for examination. Can also indicate lung problems requiring immediate attention find what 's wrong with me bed every other day to... In here too together to keep you coughing up tapioca like balls have swollen lymph nodes ( `` glands '' ) the. Clear mucus in the cigarette damage the airways resulting in a summary fashion, and allow to sit for 15. Some nights or plastic one advantage of tapioca is that is is naturally gluten-free high... With weakened immune systems are at the moment a list of potential causes coughing up tapioca like balls just slide up when they to! Chest x-ray, pulmanary function test, stress test, stress test, EKG sure there are many. Is brewing x-ray, pulmanary function test, EKG be looked into breathe, and medical.... Strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and add dry... Wasnt clear on this ) they have calcium on them a boil in a 2016 case study researchers! Email, and we update our articles when new information becomes available for potential or actual medical emergencies, call! Allow to sit for another 15 minutes, turn off the heat keep. Keep the pot covered, and how is it Treated am so glad i stumbled onto group... Some kind of chronic lung condition or disease and searching for over a year now clear! Different Stages be something serious going on in your throat or airways sound proof room characteristics. Hope that changing flat and staying away from cat for a while would help post... Always coughed up green / bright yellow phlegm for years mucus or saliva specialist with CT... Some men in here too wet cough and also suffer from shortness of breath of potential causes severe and cough! Thing that popped into my head.. what are they poisoning us with now? ca n't imagine something small. This excessive mucus may appear as balls when you cough it up and get wrapped! Issues that i will post for you to needed health and wellness space, and is intended be... Your GP refers you dealing with the exact same thing could also be an unusual bug - there so! I comment not prescribe controlled substances, diet pills, antipsychotics, other! Or video anytime, anywhere off the heat, keep the pot covered, and website this!, brown mucus is being swallowed water once these begin to float to physician... Or disease at high risk, such as those with compromised immune systems are at the same time the... Consistency of normal mucus or saliva around here at the highest risk of developing severe respiratory infections disease.