Flu Shots Important For People With Asthma.(Brief Article)

2001 NOV 14 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Influenza can exacerbate asthma in children and adults, and now is the time for the nation's 17 million people with asthma to protect themselves with flu shots.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), and American Thoracic Society (ATS) are all in favor of flu shots for patients with asthma and respiratory diseases.

The symptoms of influenza, which include fever, chills, generalized muscle pains, headache, fatigue, and cough, can be especially severe for patients with respiratory diseases, such as asthma. In some cases, the influenza virus can damage the lungs, and may make patients more susceptible to pneumonia. In severe cases, influenza can be fatal.

The influenza vaccination protects against acute asthma exacerbations in children, according to a study in March 2001 issue of the Journal of Pediatrics. Researchers studied children visiting emergency rooms for asthma attacks among children 1 to 6 years old. Influenza vaccination decreased the risk of asthma exacerbations in subjects by as much as 22% to 41%. Researchers concluded that vaccinating all children with asthma could prevent 59% to 78% of asthma hospitalizations and emergency room visits during influenza seasons.

Patients often wait until they are exposed to the influenza virus to get ...