The Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, pointing to the serious impact of viral infections, including common cold and flu, on asthma patients, has suggested that vaccination and adherence to medication can reduce the risk of death.
On Thursday, the academy published a report on its website, offering precautions for asthma patients during infectious disease outbreaks.
“Asthma is a chronic bronchial inflammation that causes narrowing of the airways,” said Professor Lee Byung-jae of the Department of Allergy at Samsung Medical Center in the report. “Although asthma patients are not susceptible to colds and flu, infections can worsen asthma symptoms and cause long-term health problems, including decreased lung function.”
Professor Lee added that repeated exacerbations can lead to airway remodeling, which can be difficult to recover from.
“People with asthma should continue to take their controller medications (asthma inhalers and other asthma medications they normally use) as directed by their healthcare provider,” Lee said. “In addition to maintaining their usual inhalers during flu and cold seasons, people with asthma should also maintain their asthma medications during viral infections.”
Stopping asthma medication during an infection can lead to asthma exacerbations and, in the case of the flu, complications and potentially fatal outcomes, according to Lee.
“Stopping asthma medication during flu and cold virus infections is like unbuckling your seatbelt before a car accident,” he said. “It is also important to treat the flu itself early by taking antiviral medication quickly.”
“People with asthma should get the flu vaccine every fall, and for high-risk groups, such as the elderly or people with severe asthma, a pneumococcal vaccination is also recommended,” Lee said. “This is essential to prevent complications from the flu and cold.”
The academy also suggested specific actions for people with asthma to take before the flu-cold season, during infection, and to manage after infection.
First, it's important to get vaccinated against the flu every year before the season, especially for older adults and people with severe asthma, who are at higher risk, along with the pneumococcal vaccine, it said.
The academy also urged people to continue to use their inhaled asthma medications (controller) as prescribed by their doctor, even if they don't have symptoms, and to know what to do if their asthma flares up.
It also recommended that people continue to use their control medications, such as asthma inhalers, even if they are infected.
For this purpose, the academy emphasized the importance of symptom management, saying to check with your regular doctor to see what to do if your asthma symptoms worsen and to increase your controller medication or take additional inhalers according to a predetermined plan.
It added that if you suspect the flu, seek medical attention and start antiviral medication as soon as possible. If your condition worsens, contact your doctor immediately.
The academy concluded by recommending regular post-infection care to prevent asthma exacerbations and lung function decline.