At a glance
- Asthma is a lung disease that is caused by chronic inflammation of the airways.
- People with asthma are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, even if their asthma is mild or their symptoms are well-controlled by medication.
- Flu vaccination is especially important for people with asthma because they are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications.
- People with asthma who get flu symptoms should call their health care provider right away. There are antiviral drugs that can treat flu illness and help prevent serious flu complications.
About asthma
Asthma is a lung disease that is caused by chronic inflammation of the airways. It is one of the most common long-term diseases among children, but adults can have asthma, too. Asthma attacks occur when the lung airways tighten due to inflammation. Asthma attacks can be caused by "triggers" such as respiratory infections, allergy particles, chemical irritants, and air pollution. During an asthma attack, a person with asthma can experience symptoms such as wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Often, asthma attacks can be prevented by limiting one's exposure to triggers and by properly using asthma medications.
Flu and people with asthma
People with asthma can develop swollen and sensitive airways, and flu can cause further inflammation of the airways and lungs. Flu can trigger asthma attacks and cause worsening of asthma symptoms. Flu also can lead to pneumonia and other acute respiratory diseases. In fact, adults and children with asthma are more likely to develop pneumonia after getting sick with flu than people who do not have asthma. Asthma is the most common medical condition among children hospitalized with flu and one of the more common medical conditions among adults hospitalized with flu.
Prevention
A flu shot is the best protection against flu
Flu vaccination is especially important for people with asthma because they are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications.
Flu vaccines for people with asthma
Most injectable influenza vaccines (or flu shots) are approved for use in people 6 months and older, regardless of whether or not they have asthma or other health conditions. Flu shots have a long-established safety record in people with asthma.
- People with asthma should generally not receive the nasal spray flu vaccine (i.e., the live attenuated influenza vaccine or LAIV).
- People with asthma who are aged 5 years and older, talk to your health care provider before getting the nasal spray vaccine.
- Children 2 to 4 years old who have asthma or who have had a history of wheezing in the past 12 months should not get the nasal spray vaccine.
- People with asthma who are aged 5 years and older, talk to your health care provider before getting the nasal spray vaccine.
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Everyone 6 months of age and older needs a flu vaccine.
Pneumococcal vaccination is also important
- Having flu increases your risk of getting pneumococcal disease.
- Pneumococcal pneumonia is an example of a serious flu-related complication that can cause death.
- People who have asthma should also be up to date with pneumococcal vaccination. This vaccination helps protect against pneumococcal pneumonia and other serious infections.
- You can get the pneumococcal vaccine your provider recommends when you get a flu vaccine.
- Talk to your health care provider to find out which pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for you.
Specific health actions for people with asthma
- Take asthma medication exactly as your doctor or other medical professional tells you to do. Know how to use your asthma inhaler if your doctor of other medical professional tells you to use one.
- Plan ahead to maintain sufficient supplies of your regular medications for chronic medical conditions (e.g., at least a two-week supply).
- Know and avoid the asthma triggers that can cause you to have an asthma attack.
- Follow an updated, written Asthma Action Plan developed with your health care provider.
- Follow this Asthma Action Plan for daily treatment to control asthma long-term and to handle worsening asthma, or attacks.
- If your child has asthma, make sure that their up-to-date written Asthma Action Plan is on file at school and/or at the daycare center. Be sure that the plan and medication(s) are easy to get to when needed.
Other preventive actions
In addition to getting a flu vaccine, people with asthma should take the same everyday preventive actions CDC recommends for everyone, including avoiding people who are sick, covering coughs, and washing hands often. This also can include taking steps for cleaner air and hygiene practices like cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
Symptoms and treatment
Because you are at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, if you get sick with flu symptoms call your health care provider right away. There are antiviral drugs that can treat flu illness and help prevent serious flu complications.
Influenza antiviral drugs are medicines that fight against flu by keeping influenza viruses from making more viruses in your body. People with asthma should not use the antiviral drug zanamivir (trade name Relenza®) because there is a risk it may cause wheezing in people with asthma or other lung problems.