Asthmatic Adults and Flu

“I’m OK. I never had the flu. I don’t think I need the shots. Besides I don’t want to do anything that might affect my breathing.”  

Many adults with asthma believe this but those adults face a higher risk of complications if they catch the flu. Even so, many skip their annual shots, according to new research from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

With asthma, any respiratory infection, like flu, can affect your lungs, causing inflammation and airway narrowing.

Dr. Gary Euler, an epidemiologist with the National Center of Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC says,” It's not known whether swine flu will surge in the coming flu season, complicating the issue even more. I think we don't know the full extent of what the swine flu is going to be like," he said.

But it is known that typical influenza by itself is associated with a higher rate of complications, including bacterial infections of the respiratory track ,like pneumonia, among those with medical conditions such as asthma.

Annual flu vaccination rates among people with asthma need to be increased.  The flu vaccine is safe and effective. All people who have asthma, as well as those who don’t, are encouraged to get the flu vaccination as part of their routine care.

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