Kristi Jones
Microscopic airborne germs, coughed out by one who is sick
rhinovirus or influenza or SARS COVID 2
Inhaled by an especially unlucky person
who suffers from asthma
The germs have hit the jackpot on where they can cause harm
The wily respiratory virus sneaks into the lungs
an invader the body can’t fight off
an unwelcome visitor who doesn’t ask permission to enter
The virus ignites a firestorm of irritation and inflammation
Coughing commences and mucus multiplies
Bring on the arsenal of asthma medications.
Albuterol relaxes and opens airways
Nebulizer medicines travel deep into the lungs
long-acting bronchodilators + inhaled steroids make breathing easier
The “big guns” oral steroids do the job well—beware of side effects.
Eventually, the virus symptoms subside
The horrible cough evolves into
an annoying post-viral cough
Slowly this residual cough disappears
as the lungs continue to heal.
Bio
Kristi Jones is a poet by night, and works in academic public health at UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health by day. Her poems has been published in Kaiser Health News. She holds a BA from St Olaf College.