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Being Prepared for Winter

The winter season can be difficult for people with asthma or other respiratory problems. Winter brings cold weather and keeps us inside more, where indoor triggers such as dust mites, pet allergens, smoke and viruses can worsen asthma symptoms. In addition, cold, dry air speeds up moisture loss from the airways which causes airways to tighten, making breathing more difficult.

Winter is also the ‘flu’ season, with as many as 8 out of 10 asthma attacks in children, and 4 out of 10 in adults being triggered by viral infections. Almost anyone is at risk of contracting influenza, but there are a number of ‘high risk’ groups. These include

• People 65 years of age and over
• Indigenous people 50 years of age and over and those considered at risk
• People with a chronic disease (especially heart, lung or kidney disease, alcoholism or diabetes)
• Children with certain congenital heart diseases
• Adults and children with suppressed immune systems and the staff who care for them
• Residents and staff of nursing homes and other long term care facilities

If you have asthma, you are particularly vulnerable because viral infections are known to trigger or worsen asthma. Influenza can also cause serious complications such as pneumonia, and occasionally these complications can lead to death. The solution is to prevent influenza by having a vaccination.

If you have moderate or severe asthma (i.e. take regular preventer medication) ask your doctor about a flu vaccine in March to May each year.

Many people believe that the influenza vaccine itself, can cause ‘flu’ like symptoms. This is incorrect. The vaccine is made up of inactive (dead) virus components and cannot cause influenza. Research also confirms that the vaccine does not trigger asthma attacks, or worsening of chronic lung disease.

Pneumonia vaccine
The Pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine requires a booster every five years. This can be given at the same time as the flu vaccine. The target group for this vaccine includes;

• People 65 years of age and over
• Indigenous people 50 years of age and over and those considered at risk
• People with a chronic disease (especially heart, lung or kidney disease, alcoholism or diabetes)
• People without a spleen
• People with suppressed immune systems
• People with brain or spinal cord fluid leaks

  Even in cold winter months it is important to remember that if asthma limits your physical activity, then it is likely that your asthma is not under control – see your doctor if you have regular symptoms during or after exercising. Asthma shouldn’t stop you from exercising outside in the winter. Make sure you take your daily preventer medications regularly, protect yourself from the cold, and warm up and cool down properly. Exercise is important for everyone and can be done indoors on very cold days (eg. in a gym, your home, or a heated swimming pool).

  Watch out for smoke from tobacco, fireplaces and wood stoves as this can trigger asthma symptoms. Gas fireplaces and stoves should be checked and serviced regularly to prevent gas leaks which can trigger asthma. Use the kitchen vent when cooking.

As with any other time of year, it is very important to keep your asthma under control. This includes having regular reviews with your doctor, taking the proper medication regularly as indicted on your asthma action plan and avoiding your asthma triggers. If you’d like more information about keeping healthy this winter please phone the Asthma Foundation of WA on 9289 3600 or talk to your doctor.