Asthma and pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza
People with asthma are no more likely to catch pandemic H1N1 2009 Influenza than anyone else but if they do, it can add to breathing difficulties and may trigger asthma attacks.
If you have asthma and get flu like symptoms) you should contact your health care provider to discuss possible treatments, particularly if you are having more frequent and severe asthma symptoms, using your reliever medication more often, and feeling that your reliever medication is not as effective.
If you are caring for children with asthma, you need to ensure their medication and asthma management plan is up to date. If your child gets flu:
- monitor them carefully; and
- contact your doctor if:
- your child finds it harder to breathe; or
- reliever medication is needed more frequently than usual.
Talk to your doctor about the things you can do to minimise the risk of influenza related complications, such as developing a personal
Asthma Cycle of Care.
Vaccinate against pandemic H1N1 influenza
A
free vaccine to protect you against pandemic H1N1 influenza is available to people with severe asthma.
Asthma Management
While there is no cure for asthma, there are effective management strategies such as following an Asthma Cycle of Care, that will help you control asthma and prevent the worsening of its symptoms.
Just as with seasonal flu, during the time of H1N1 Influenza, people with asthma need to carefully manage their symptoms by:
- following a personal written asthma action plan developed with their doctor;
- taking asthma medications (even if they are well) as advised by their doctor;
- finding out what triggers their asthma and where possible, avoiding these triggers; and
- seeing their doctor for regular check-ups to monitor and control their asthma.
More information on asthma is available at the Department of Health and Ageing’s web site at www.health.gov.au or by visiting:
More detail on www.healthemergency.gov.au:
