Asthma, Cold and Flu – The Connecting & Missing Link

The keybase for asthma can be cold. Good hygiene can help to guard against viral infections such as colds. Avert the cold virusmagnitudeby making sure you and your family members wash your hands regularly.

Also, guard yourself from:

  • Asking your GP if you need anannual flu shot. Influenza is a causal factor for asthma.
  • Treating sinusitis timely. Sinus infections can initiate asthma attacks.

Is It Cough or Asthma?

A cough and asthma are two not the same things. However people with asthma regularly have trouble breathing and often cough a lot. If you or your child is taking cough medicine frequently to subdue a cough, then the actual problem could be something else. Adetermined cough in fact, could be a symbol of asthma. Even if you or your loved one is diagnosed with asthma, it is not the conclusion of the world, as it can be controlled and you can live a usual, active life as millions of people who have asthma do.

What can I do when symptoms of asthma get worse with colds?

Ask your doctor for a written asthma action plan during your next visit. The plan may propose that you raise the dosage or regularity of the medications you already take when a cold causes some failing of your asthma control.

Your action plan should compriseinformation about when to attain medical help. For instance, you should avoid all bases of smoke and contact to allergens, cold air or severe chemicals.

Influenza (flu) is caused by one specific virus. There are more than a few forms of the flu virus, and each can vary over time. The flu causes only a small percentage of asthma attacks. Though, people with asthma are at a greaterperil of developing problems with the flu such as pneumonia, bronchitis, or ear infections. This can mean you have to stay at home and miss work or school, or even have to go to hospital (particularly children under 2 years old and the aged).

What is the difference between a cold and flu?

A lot of people use the word ‘flu’ for common illnesses like head colds, but influenza is much graver. Influenza symptoms every so ofteninitiateunexpectedly and advancefast, and can comprise:

  • Fever.
  • Headache.
  • Muscularpains.
  • Painful throat and/or
  • Dry cough.

What should I do if I get a viral infection?

Check the written Asthma Action Plan and continue taking your consistent preventivemedication asnormal and yourreliever medication as essential. If your asthma gets much worse, you should get to your doctor, who may prescribe a short course of oral corticosteroids.

How to evade viral illnesses and stop them spreading?

  • Evade close interaction with others if you are ill with flu.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough to avert the virus being conveyed through the air.
  • Wash your hands normally, mainly after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, and always before you prepare food.
  • Don’t share private items if someone in your family has flu-like symptoms.
  • Clean surfaces frequently, particularly if someone has a viral illness.
  • Think through wearing a face mask – study has found that a mask offers up to 4 times more guards against respiratory viruses, including the common cold.
  • Stay at home if you are sick.