Flu season can be a stressful time of year for any parent, but when your child has asthma, it can cause even greater anxiety. The complications that arise from the flu can cause a multitude of reactions in a child with asthma--including an asthma emergency. This flu season, LivingWithAsthma.net offers advice for parents of asthmatic children.
What is the Flu?
The flu is a virus that comes in a variety of types. The flu itself is usually not deadly. However, when a child has a chronic respiratory condition such as asthma, the risk of suffering complications from the flu is increased. Pneumonia is the most common complication to arise in asthmatic children and can lead to great difficulty breathing, or even hospitalization. For this reason, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that asthmatic children receive the flu shot every year.
Symptoms of Flu
Unfortunately, the symptoms of the flu and asthma attacks can be similar. A child may have increased difficulty breathing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Mucus and congestion are other sure signs of the flu, as is fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Any of these symptoms can increase the chances of asthma-related complications. If an asthma attack occurs while the child has the flu, the attack is likely to be greater and more serious, Emergency treatment may be necessary.
Prevention and Treatment
The best treatment for the flu is prevention. For this reason, it is vitally important to get an asthmatic child a flu shot every year to combat the active strains. If the child does get the flu, don’t panic. Take them to the pediatrician, who may be able to provide anti-viral medications. Monitor your child's symptoms, and avoid exposing him to any known asthma triggers. Be sure to have his rescue inhaler and nebulizer readily available. Watch him for signs of an asthma emergency. Signs may include: difficulty breathing, anxiety, blue lips, and retractions around his ribs--any of which may require that an emergency medical professional should evaluate his condition.
For more information on how the flu affects asthmatic children, visit www.livingwithasthma.net.
About LivingWithAsthma.net:
LivingWithAsthma.net is the premier online community seeking to empower families of children with asthma. It covers topics from one mother to another, including home remedies, practical lifestyle changes that can reduce triggers, medication reviews and more. LivingWithAsthma.net seeks to raise awareness for the disease and create a community forum for mothers to discuss their experiences and triumphs in living with an asthmatic child.
