Advice for a flu-free winter
30 October 2006

People with asthma are at a greater risk from flu than others this winter because asthma symptoms are often triggered by respiratory infections, warn Asthma UK experts.

To minimise the risk, Professor Martyn Partridge, Chief Medical Adviser at Asthma UK, advises people with asthma to consult their GP about having the flu jab.

Colds and flu trigger the symptoms of 90% of the 5.2 million people with asthma. While it is almost impossible to avoid catching the common cold, having a jab can help to prevent the flu virus taking hold.

Flu is highly infectious: according to the Department of Health, 100,000 flu particles can be projected into the air with just one sneeze. Given that a sneeze travels at 80 miles per hour and can reach distances of 30 feet, it is hardly surprising that at least 10% of the population develops flu each year.

The flu vaccination offers protection from the virus for a year and is free to people who are most susceptible, including those with asthma. Despite this, each year in the UK between 3,000 and 4,000 deaths are linked to flu.

Autumn is the best time to have a jab, before flu begins to circulate. It is also important to have a vaccination every year to protect you against the latest strains of the virus, which is constantly mutating.

'The flu vaccine has been widely used for many years and is both safe and effective with very few side effects,' assured Professor Partridge. 'Apart from having the flu vaccine there are other measures that people can take to reduce the effects of colds and viruses on their asthma. Following a written personal asthma action plan and knowing when and how to adjust their treatment if asthma worsens after an infection, is just one such way.

'People with asthma should contact their doctor or practice nurse and ask for a personal asthma action plan to be filled out for them,' he advised.