Asthma Sufferers At High Risk For Future H1N1 Pandemics

Health experts predicted another round of H1N1 flu virus cases could hit next year and that people who suffer from asthma are at especially high risk, Channel 4 Action News’ Sally Wiggin reported Wednesday.
This was demonstrated in a study last spring of H1N1 flu patients admitted to Massachusetts hospitals, Wiggin said. The study looked at people who also had other chronic medical conditions and almost a third of those people had asthma.
Local allergy and asthma expert, Dr. Deborah Gentile, told Wiggin flu strains are a danger asthma sufferers face every year.
“Unfortunately, patients with asthma are always at risk for side effects of complications when they get the flu, including H1N1,” Gentile said.
The H1N1 flu can trigger an asthma attack, breathing problems, pneumonia, and severe breathing difficulties that require a ventilator, Wiggin reported.
Gentile said she saw dozens of patients like this during the most recent H1N1 epidemic. Many of whom, luckily, did not have to be admitted for hospital stays.
“We actually give our patients treatment plans,” Gentile said. “So if they start to get sick they know how to monitor their illness, exactly what steps to take to control their exacerbation, and when to contact us.”
Patients were advised to watch for H1N1 symptoms similar to other flues, like cough, fever, muscle aches, respiratory problems, and, in the case of the H1N1 flu, even nausea, Gentile told Wiggin.
“We would consider treating them with Tamiflu and consider if they needed an increase in their asthma medications,” Gentile said.
It was reported that children with asthma are at even higher risk for complications due to H1N1 flu than adults, Wiggin said.
Gentile also recommended that all asthma sufferers get the H1N1 vaccine, regardless of age.
“Go get one right now. There is no shortage at this point,” Gentile said. “Check with your pediatrician, your general practitioner, call the county health departments where you live. Find out where [the vaccines] are available. [The H1N1 flu] will come back.”
Asthma sufferers were also advised to get seasonal flu shots, Wiggin reported. Studies indicated seasonal flu can be just as dangerous for asthma patients as the H1N1 flu strain.