Respiratory Infections and Asthma

Respiratory infections like influenza (flu) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are more serious for individuals with asthma because they can lead to pneumonia and  asthma attacks.

Flu

People with Asthma Should Get a Flu Vaccination Every Year

Influenza, commonly called “flu,” is caused by the influenza virus, which infects the respiratory tract (nose, throat, and lungs). People with asthma are more likely to have serious health problems from getting the flu.

If you have asthma, take steps to prevent getting flu. Flu virus infection can cause you to have an asthma attack. Flu vaccine is the most important step you can take to protect yourself and others from flu. Flu vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Learn more about flu, how to prevent it, what to do if you get sick, and actions you can take to protect yourself and others.

COVID-19

If you have asthma, take steps to prevent getting COVID-19. COVID-19 infection can cause you to have an asthma attack. Staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines is the most important thing you can do to protect yourself. COVID-19 vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

People with moderate to severe asthma, particularly if not well-controlled, might be at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

RSV, or Respiratory syncytial (sin-SISH-uhl) virus, is a common virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults.  If you have asthma, an RSV infection can cause an asthma attack.

RSV vaccines are available for some people. For more information, see RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Immunizations | CDC.

Pneumococcal Pneumonia

If you have asthma, you should get the pneumococcal vaccine to protect yourself against pneumococcal pneumonia.  Talk to your healthcare provider about any additional vaccines you may need. Pneumococcal infections can be a serious complication of respiratory infections and can cause death. Pneumococcal vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.

Take Steps to Protect Yourself

These steps will help protect you against flu, COVID-19, RSV, pneumonia, and other respiratory diseases.

• Get vaccinated when vaccines are available for a respiratory disease
• Wash your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Washing your hands will help protect you from germs.
• Keep your hands off your face. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Germs spread this way.
• Avoid close contact with sick people. Avoid close contact, such as kissing, and sharing cups or eating utensils with people who have cold-like symptoms.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that people frequently touch, such as toys, doorknobs, and mobile devices.
• Think about wearing an n95 respirator or other mask when you will be in crowded indoor spaces.

Improve ventilation (moving air into, out of, or within a room) and filtration (trapping particles on a filter to remove them from the air) to help prevent virus particles from accumulating in indoor air. This can help protect you from getting infected with respiratory viruses.

• Remember also to always follow your Asthma Action Plan.
• Keep your asthma under control by following your asthma action plan.
• Avoid your asthma triggers.
• Continue current medications, including any inhalers with steroids in them (“steroids” is another word for corticosteroids). Know how to use your inhaler.
• Do not stop any medications or change your asthma treatment plan without talking to your healthcare provider.
• Talk to your healthcare provider, insurer, and pharmacist about creating an emergency supply of prescription medications, such as asthma inhalers. Make sure that you have 30 days of non-prescription medications and supplies on hand in case you need to stay home for a long time.
• Be careful around cleaning agents and disinfectants. Some cleaning agents can cause asthma attacks or other adverse reactions.

Protect others by:

• Staying home when you are sick. Stay home from work, school, and public areas when you are sick. .
• Wearing a high-quality mask or respirator with the best fit, protection, and comfort when around other people.
• Covering your coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash afterward.