Just In
- 2 hrs ago Heeramandi: Designers Rimple And Harpreet Craft Inspiring 300 Outfits, Know The Details Here!
- 6 hrs ago These Common Habits Can Be Insidious, Can Hurt Any Partner And Ruin Any Relationship
- 9 hrs ago What Is Porcelain Doll Makeup Trend? 6 Tips To Achieve The Doll-like Glamour
- 11 hrs ago These Zodiac Signs Are Extremely Stubborn And Struggle When It Comes To Apologizing
Don't Miss
- Finance Infosys Q4 Results: Cons PAT Shoots Up 30% YoY To Rs 7,975 Crore; FY25 Guidance Here
- Sports Pakistan vs New Zealand Weather Update Live, 1st T20I: Rain Begins In Rawalpindi Before Match's Schedule Time of 7:30 PM
- Technology Nothing Ear, Ear a With ANC, Up to 42.5 Hours of Battery Launched; Check Price and Availability
- Movies Anupamaa Twist | Will Yashdeep EXIT Rupali Ganguly’s Show Soon? Vaquar Shaikh REACTS: There Are Times…
- News Lok Sabha Pre-Poll Survey: Can Congress Turn The Tables In Haryana? Check This Opinion Poll
- Education PSEB Class 10 Toppers' List 2024, Check the Ranks of Toppers
- Automobiles All About Electronic Stability Control ESC: Working & Advantages
- Travel Telangana's Waterfall: A Serene Escape Into Nature's Marvels
Why People With Asthma Are At Increased Risk Of Flu
Asthma and flu (influenza) are two conditions of the respiratory tract that significantly affect millions of people worldwide. Flu is caused due to an influenza virus and is a highly transmissible illness while asthma is a chronic non-transmissible inflammatory disease of the airways mainly caused due to allergic (dust, dander and pollens) and non-allergic (tobacco smoke and viral infections) factors.
Studies have shown that people with asthma are likely to have worse symptoms when they are exposed to the influenza virus because of immune system differences. People with asthma tend to have a weaker immune system while healthy people show strong immune triggering reactions.
In this article, we will discuss how flu is linked to people with asthma. Take a look.
15 Amazing Health Benefits Of Jungle Jalebi/Madras Thorn
How Is Flu And Asthma Related?
The respiratory system in our body, compared to other body organs, is more exposed to the external environment due to its large surface area. As the functionality of the lungs includes in and out of the air, they are bound to be exposed to infectious agents.
Though the structural barriers and immune defences protect the lungs from infections and damage of any kind, prolonged exposure to these harmful respiratory agents can proceed to the development of asthma in susceptible individuals. According to the CDC, one out of every eleven children and one out of every twelve adults suffer from asthma. [1]
Benefits Of Low Glycemic Index (GI) Diet For Diabetics
Common respiratory viruses such as influenza virus constantly circulate in the environment and can infect people of all ages, especially children. Therefore, simply based on the increased cases of asthma, the risk of exposure to influenza virus in asthmatic is high.
However, not all types of asthmatics are an easy target for influenza virus. This makes the immunological background important to identify why asthmatics are more prone to influenza compared to healthy adults.
Can Broccoli Help Fight Flu And Common Cold Symptoms?
Immune System In Asthma
The whole mechanism underlying the increased risk of influenza in asthmatics are poorly understood, but some studies do talk about the deficiency of antiviral immunity in people with asthma.
One of the reasons is the increased use of inhaled corticosteroid (inhaler) or oral corticosteroid. People with asthma are often suggested to keep inhalers, which are a type of drugs that lower inflammation of the lungs (the main cause of asthma). These corticosteroids prevent against severe asthma complications due to influenza infection but are also known to suppress the immunity in the long run. [2]
Amazing Health Benefits Of Sea Moss, Side Effects And How To Consume
Another reason is the suppression of T-lymphocyte or those cells which are responsible for killing the infection by activating immune cells to produce cytokines. A study was carried out based on lung samples from asthmatics and healthy volunteers. It was found that the samples from healthy people showed a strong immune system-triggering reaction to the flu virus, compared to much weaker reactions in asthma patients.
Is Influenza Vaccine Effective For Asthmatics?
Annual immunization with influenza vaccine is recommended by the major health governing bodies such as the WHO and the CDC. A study has shown that influenza vaccination can prevent around 59%-78% of asthma attacks leading to fewer hospitalisations or emergency visits. Also, aggravation of asthma, other respiratory illness and usage of medications were reduced.
The study requires more research as there were limitations on the study such as patients should have laboratory-confirmed influenza. [3]
Are Zinc Lozenges Effective For The Treatment Of Common Cold?
Tips To Keep Asthma Under Control
- Know your triggering factors such as dust, moulds or dander and avoid them.
- Quit smoking as well as avoid passive smoking.
- Understand your medications for a personalised plan.
- Never miss out on the doctor's appointment.
- Make ways to boost your immune system such as by eating healthy and expert-suggested exercises.
- Always keep an asthma action plan.
- Learn asthma self-management skills
What Are The 7 Types Of Hunger And How To Deal With Them?
Common FAQs
1. What to do if you have asthma and get the flu?
Keeping asthma action plan ready beforehand will help you avoid the condition effectively. However, if you are asthmatic and get flu, connect to a medical expert soon and don't wait for the condition to get worse.
2. Why is the flu bad for asthmatics?
The lungs of asthmatics are already compromised. As flu is a viral infection that affects the lungs, therefore, it can aggravate the symptoms in patients with asthma and make them fall ill too quickly.
3. Does having asthma weaken your immune system?
Asthma is highly prevalent in people with a weakened immune system. This is because asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease which means, the inflammatory response in those people is weak, which is the body's natural defence mechanism against pathogens.
- healthDelhi Air Quality To Worsen With Stubble Burning: How To Stay Safe? Tips For People With Asthma
- wellness5 Asthma-Friendly Foods: Breathe Easy With These Foods For Better Lung Health
- disorders cureH3N2: Respiratory Illnesses Caused By H3N2 Influenza
- disorders curePigeon Poop Can Lead To Health Hazards In Asthma Patients In Bengaluru; Know Pigeon Poop Related Health Risks
- wellnessHoli: Holi Precaution Tips For Asthmatic People
- nutritionSide Effects Of Eating Curd Every Day; Who Should Avoid It
- wellnessDiwali 2022: 10 Tips To Maintain Healthy Lungs This Diwali
- wellnessHolistic Ayurveda Management Of Asthma (Expert Article)
- wellnessExpert Article: Exploring The World Health Day 2022 Theme Through An Ayurveda Perspective
- healthCipla To Donate 5,000 Nebulisers To Primary Health Care Centres
- disorders cureNocturnal Asthma: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors In Children And Treatment
- wellnessWhy Does Asthma Worsen At Night? Tips To Manage