What should you know about flu and asthma?

Flu is an infection, while asthma is a condition in which the airways can narrow and become more sensitive. During flu, airway irritation and mucus may make usual asthma symptoms harder to control. A cough, wheeze or tight chest can therefore be part of an asthma flare, flu, or both; symptoms alone cannot establish the cause.

People with asthma should keep their written action plan available and know their usual response to reliever medicine. Allergic Rhinitis and House Dust Mite Allergy can also aggravate airway symptoms, so mention these triggers during assessment.

Continue your regular preventer exactly as prescribed and keep your reliever accessible. Rest, drink fluids if you can, and reduce contact with others while fever or active respiratory symptoms continue. Follow your asthma action plan if breathing changes, and contact your clinician if reliever treatment is needed more often than directed or gives less relief than usual.

Do not start antibiotics or change inhaler doses on your own. A clinician can assess whether flu treatment, inhaler adjustment or another evaluation is appropriate.

Seek urgent help if breathing is rapidly worsening, you cannot speak comfortably, your lips look blue or grey, you feel faint or confused, or your reliever is not helping according to your action plan. Arrange prompt medical advice for persistent fever, worsening cough, repeated night waking, or chest tightness that interferes with ordinary activity.

Ask whether your symptoms fit flu, an asthma flare, or another infection; how to adjust your action plan; and when to use urgent services. You can also ask whether a nebuliser treatment is appropriate and how to reduce infection triggers around your household.