Why is it Harder to Fight Infections for Individuals with SMA?
One reason it can be harder for individuals with SMA to fight infections is that the condition can weaken the respiratory muscles needed to breathe deeply, cough forcefully, and clear mucus from the lungs. People with SMA may have very weak intercostal muscles and can face severe risk from viral respiratory infections, even when those infections may only cause minor illness in healthy individuals.
Respiratory infections can become more serious in Spinal Muscular Atrophy because a weak cough can make it difficult to clear airway secretions. When mucus stays in the lungs, germs can build up, infections can linger longer, and the risk of pneumonia or other complications may increase. Weakness of the intercostal and abdominal muscles can impair coughing, leading to poor clearance of mucus from the lower airways, and that infections may clear slowly because of weak cough. Respiratory care in SMA may include clearing respiratory secretions, preventing infection, and using devices such as an insufflator-exsufflator to help move mucus from the airways.
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