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People with asthma are very careful with the activities they do, mainly because they want to avoid anything that can lead to an asthma attack. Unfortunately when they catch a cold or the flu, it doesn’t matter what they do because it might be inevitable. Yet, there are some things they can do to prevent getting the flu, like getting a flu shot every year. If the inevitable does happen, there are things they can do to manage their cold or flu when they have asthma.
What Are The Symptoms of the Flu and Asthma?
When people have asthma, any type of respiratory infection, including a cold or the flu can affect your lungs, causing your lungs to get inflammed and narrowing your airway passages. When people with asthma get the flu, they have increased shortness of breath or wheezing. Like many others that have the flu, you will get yellow mucus, feel weak and tired, a fever, have a sore throat and feel pain when swallowing, as well as nasal congestion and a runny nose. But, if you have trouble breathing or the symptoms remain unchanged for several days, then call your doctor.
How to Manage the Flu and Your Asthma?
Be prepared and have a plan of action because the common cold and the flu can come at any time, not only during the winter months. Talk to your doctor about ahead of time just in case you get sick and ask him to recommend cold/flu medications that work best for patients with asthma. When you suspect you have the flu take notes of your symptoms.
How often does the wheezing occur, do you cough only at night, does your chest feel tight? If this happens then you might have to change your controller medications, call your doctor if your medication is not working. Make sure you know how to use a peak flow meter; this is the little device that measures how your asthma is being controlled. Like any other person, make sure you’re drinking lots of fluids, plenty of rest, and don’t take your sickness lightly because you don’t want to end up in the emergency room.