I agree with Jean. Every cold I get I am at the Doctors for it. I cannot afford to get exacerbated again. It takes a long time to treat it and it does seem to leave some damage each time. Get to the doctor- at least call to see what he has to say. Hugs.

Get to your doc ASAP, as soon as you develop anything respiratory! Don't wait until you have to go to the hospital. Your doc doesn't want you there. As my good friend Dr. Brian Tiep, one of the leading pulmonologists in the country says, "Think of an exacerbation as a party you're throwing and I get the first invitation!"

Why wait so long you have to go to the hospital? Catch it early so you don't have to go. If you let it get that much of a hold on you, it's probably going to do additional lung damage that cannot be undone. I've already lost enough lung function; I want to hang on to everything I've got.

I always inform my doctor of colds or any other illness I get. Unless it is something new I stay home. He knows what meds I need and when. He will call me in if he fells it is needed.

They are terrifying. I've had 3 bad episodes of exacerbations and been rushed to hospital . You must be careful and not leave it too long before going to hospital. I feel more secure being in there . Anything can happen . My blood pressure dropped down to 50 after a few days and that's not good. Mind you it was very high on arrival 200/100. So I believe hospital is the safest place

An exacerbation is a worsening of your COPD symptoms, like increased coughing, increased mucous production, change in mucous color, increased SOB, running a temp, chills, increased fatigue, etc. that requires some sort of medical intervention, like antibiotics, prednisone, hospitalization, etc. It's simply an increase in your symptoms that requires some sort of medical intervention to get rid of. It's not becoming sob as a result of activity or walking, that you can resolve by resting or slowing down. It's not a bad reaction to a scent or smoke, though that can lead to an exacerbation, which is why you need to know if you react badly to those things. It's a change that persists and doesn't go away.