Can the Flu Make Asthma Worse?


 The flu is raging across the U.S. right now, and my local TV station is reporting high hospitalization rates. Yikes!

This worries me because asthma makes every respiratory infection worse. And the flu can lead to pneumonia - which can be deadly. 

In fact, my two youngest kids were hospitalized repeatedly when they were little - thanks to RSV and pneumonia. I have also been in Urgent Care a few times with the flu. 

What flu symptoms should you watch for? 

Symptoms of the flu: 

  • High fever and chills 
  • Body aches
  • Extreme weakness or fatigue
  • Headache
  • Constant cough 
  • Diarrhea or vomiting
  • Stuffy or runny nose 
  • Sore throat 

With asthma, you can have swelling in the lungs, which can make any infection worse. Sigh. 

Sometimes I wonder if I should tough it out, or go the ER or hospital?


 Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America  (AFFA) list Emergency flu symptoms for CHILDREN: 

AAFA's website recommends CALLING 911 if your child has any of these: 

  • Child has fast breathing/trouble breathing 😟
  • Child's skin changes color in lips, around the eyes, tongue, or fingertips (the color can change to bluish if you have lighter skin - or whitish/grayish for darker skin)
  • Child is not interacting, not conscious, not waking up 😴
  • Child is very dehydrated
  • Child is constantly throwing up 🤮 
AAFA's website recommends GOING TO THE ER or URGENT CARE if your child has:
  • Flu symptoms get better, but then come back and the cough or fever is worse Fever with a rash
  • The child has the flu and is irritable or can't be comforted 
 

 
If you are ADULT with asthma (yes, we get sick too...) Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America lists Emergency symptoms for ADULTS:
  • Adult has fast breathing/trouble breathing
  • Adult has pain in abdomen or chest 
  • Adult has frequent dizzy spells or sudden dizziness 
  • Adult is not interacting, not conscious, not waking up 
  • Adult is confused 
  • Adult is constantly throwing up  
Your doctor is the ultimate expert, so follow their medical advice. 
 
I shared AAFA's emergency list of symptoms and what they suggest to do, but this is meant for educational purposes only. 
 
Good luck out there, it's a nasty flu season! 
 
Hugs, 
Andrea  
 

** Disclaimer: this information is meant to be educational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals**


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