Asthma and the Flu
- Everyone with asthma should get vaccinated for the seasonal flu: Respiratory infections like influenza are more serious in patients with asthma, and such infections can often lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory disease.
- Everyone with asthma who is aged 6 months through 64 years should get the 2009 H1N1 flu shot as soon as it is available where they live (see flu locator).
- Children with asthma aged 6 months to 8 years who never have had a seasonal flu shot will need two doses the first time. Children who have had a seasonal flu shot in the past only need one shot.
- Persons with asthma should not use the inhaled "FluMist®" vaccine.
- The antiviral drug Oseltamivir (TAMIFLU®) is recommended for treating 2009 H1N1 virus infection and may be prescribed for persons with asthma. Flu treatments work best if they start within two days of when you get sick. More on Antivirals.
- Persons with flu infections might also get bacterial infections. These persons will also need to take antibiotics to fight the bacterial infection. Some signs of bacterial infection are severe or prolonged illness, or illness that seems to get better but then gets worse.
- Do not give aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) to children or teenagers who have the flu. This can cause a rare but serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.
- If you have asthma and you develop flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider or seek medical care and follow these steps for all people with health conditions.
Listen to the Podcast “Your Child with Asthma Needs a Flu Shot!” from CDC
Asthma Information for Patients and Parents of Patients
