Updated April 03, 2015.
Respiratory infections like the flu are more serious in asthma patients compared to patients with healthy lungs, so it is important to learn what you can do to prevent flu. The flu virus causes swelling and inflammation in the lungs that may lead to worsening symptoms, such as:
Not only can the flu cause worsening of your asthma symptoms, but the flu can also lead to infections like pneumonia and other acute respiratory problems.
Adults and children with asthma are more likely to be hospitalized with acute respiratory illnesses during flu outbreaks than patients without asthma, so it is important to try and prevent flu. There are a number of actions to can take to prevent flu from worsening your asthma.
1. Get The Flu Vaccine
According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting the flu vaccines are the most important step in protecting yourself against the seasonal and H1N1 flu.
What types of flu vaccination are available?
Preventing the flu is the best way to prevent flu complications such as pneumonia or hospitalization.
2. Take Preventive Action
There are a number of things you can do do both in the home and in your office to prevent flu from affecting you. How to reduce your risk of catching a cold or the flu.
The CDC recommends that you:
- Avoid contact with sick people.
- Stay away from work or school if you are experiencing flu symptoms.
- Cover your cough
- Wash your hands
- Keep your hands away from your mouth and nose.
3. Take Medication If Advised By Your Doctor
Certain drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza can treat the seasonal flu. These drugs fight the flu by preventing the flu virus from growing in your body.
Your doctor will likely treat you with one of the flu treatments if you have asthma. The flu treatments may make your symptoms less severe and shorten your illness. Treatment works best if taken within 2 days of the development of flu symptoms.
Source:
Centers For Disease Control & Prevention. Accessed September 25, 2009. CDC Says "Take 3" Actions To Fight The Flu