This flu season, individuals with asthma face increased susceptibility.

As flu season approaches, people with asthma need to take extra precautions to stay healthy. Here's a guide on how to manage asthma during this critical period.

**Environmental Control**

Using air purifiers, maintaining cleanliness, and avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke are essential steps for creating an asthma-friendly environment. Air purifiers can help reduce airborne allergens and irritants, while regular cleaning of your home, especially bedding in hot water, can reduce allergen exposure.

**Medication Management**

Continuing controller medication daily helps manage underlying inflammation and reduces the risk of flare-ups. It's also crucial to carry a quick-relief inhaler for managing acute symptoms.

**Preparedness and Emergency Planning**

Ensure you have a two-week supply of medications during flu season to avoid running out. Educate family and friends about asthma symptoms and teach them how to respond appropriately during an emergency. Know your local healthcare options and have a plan for accessing medical care if needed.

**Hygiene and Infection Prevention**

Frequent hand washing can help prevent the spread of respiratory infections. Minimize contact with people who are sick to reduce the risk of catching a cold or flu.

**Stress Management**

Engage in stress-reducing activities like deep breathing exercises or mindfulness to help manage stress, which can trigger asthma symptoms.

**Holiday and Pharmacy Closures**

Be aware of pharmacy and healthcare center holiday closures to ensure continuous access to necessary medications.

**Vaccinations and Asthma Triggers**

Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a flu shot every year, and it's particularly important for those with asthma. Many viruses, including rhinoviruses and coronaviruses, can trigger asthma. The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended to protect against pneumococcal pneumonia, a life-threatening flu complication.

Pregnant women with asthma should inform their obstetrician about their condition and take extra precautions to manage it. They should also get a flu shot.

People with asthma are more likely to experience serious flu complications. The flu can come on suddenly, and symptoms may not be noticeable until the afternoon. Even people with mild or intermittent asthma can have more flu complications than those without asthma.

Peak flow levels often drop when a person comes down with the flu, even before symptoms appear. A reduction in peak expiratory flow of greater than 20% from normal or personal best value indicates the presence of an asthma exacerbation during flu season.

An asthma action plan is crucial for managing asthma. This plan includes medications, triggers to avoid, normal peak flow numbers, symptoms to watch for, and emergency contact numbers. It's recommended to check peak flow every day during flu season and to consult a healthcare provider if the level is low.

By following these strategies, people with asthma can reduce their risk of flu complications and enjoy a healthier flu season.

Maintaining a clean and healthy home environment is crucial for those with asthma, as air purifiers can help reduce airborne allergens and irritants.
Regular cleaning, especially of bedding in hot water, can further minimize allergen exposure.
Avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke is essential in creating an asthma-friendly environment.
Continuing controller medication daily helps manage underlying inflammation and reduces the risk of flare-ups.
Carrying a quick-relief inhaler for managing acute symptoms is crucial.
Ensuring a two-week supply of medications during flu season is important to avoid running out.
Educating family and friends about asthma symptoms can help them respond appropriately during an emergency.
Knowing local healthcare options and having a plan for accessing medical care is crucial.
Frequent hand washing can help prevent the spread of respiratory infections.
Minimizing contact with people who are sick can reduce the risk of catching a cold or flu.
Stress can trigger asthma symptoms, so engaging in stress-reducing activities is important.
Holiday closures of pharmacies and healthcare centers should be taken into account to ensure continuous access to necessary medications.
Everyone, including those with asthma, should get a flu shot every year.
Many viruses, including rhinoviruses and coronaviruses, can trigger asthma.
The pneumococcal vaccine is recommended to protect against pneumococcal pneumonia.
Pregnant women with asthma should inform their obstetrician about their condition and take extra precautions to manage it.
People with asthma are more likely to experience serious flu complications.
Symptoms of the flu may not be noticeable until the afternoon.
Even people with mild or intermittent asthma can have more flu complications than those without asthma.
Peak flow levels often drop when a person comes down with the flu, even before symptoms appear.
A reduction in peak expiratory flow of greater than 20% from normal or personal best value indicates the presence of an asthma exacerbation during flu season.
An asthma action plan is crucial for managing asthma, including medications, triggers to avoid, normal peak flow numbers, symptoms to watch for, and emergency contact numbers.
It's recommended to check peak flow every day during flu season and to consult a healthcare provider if the level is low.
By following these strategies, people with asthma can reduce their risk of flu complications.
These strategies also aim to help people with asthma enjoy a healthier flu season.
Science plays a significant role in understanding and managing medical conditions like asthma.
Environmental science is essential in studying the impact of climate change on respiratory conditions like asthma.
Manufacturing industries should adopt sustainable practices to minimize their impact on the environment and public health.
Entrepreneurship and innovation in industries like healthcare and technology can lead to new solutions for managing and preventing asthma.