ASTHMA TREATMENT GUIDELINES

Cold and flu: What to do if you have asthma For most people, cold and flu season means suffering the temporary annoyances of a stuffy nose, a sore throat or a bad cough. But for some, this season poses a more serious threat than tissues and cough drops can manage. If you have asthma, the flu (influenza) or even a cold could set off a serious asthma attack, but you can take steps to lessen the asthma breathing techniques asthma treatment guidelines likelihood of such an attack. Get vaccinated "If someone has asthma, there is a good chance that a cold or flu will trigger an attack," says James Li, M.D., a specialist in allergy, asthma and immunology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. "Sometimes these attacks - which consist of increased shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing - are severe enough to require an emergency room visit or hospitalization." For this reason, if you have asthma you should asthma treatment guidelines asthma treatment guidelines receive an influenza vaccine annually. Studies indicate that the flu vaccine is about 70 percent to 90 percent effective at preventing the flu in healthy, young adults. Though somewhat less effective at preventing the flu in older adults and in those with chronic medial conditions, it is still very effective at reducing the severity of the illness and helps prevent serious complications. Unfortunately, it does not prevent colds. It takes about 2 weeks for a asthma cough asthma treatment guidelines flu vaccine to take effect, so experts recommend that you get vaccinated well ahead of the December-to-March peak influenza season. If you have had a serious allergic reaction to eggs, consult with your doctor before getting vaccinated - you may be at increased risk of complications from the vaccine. In addition, if you are a woman in your first trimester of pregnancy, you probably should not get the flu shot because of potential complications. Although getting an asthma and msg asthma treatment guidelines annual flu shot