Is it true that the flu can trigger an asthma attack?

In recent years, influenza has appeared early every winter and is everywhere. As the saying goes, "The first snow has not arrived, but the influenza has already arrived." Whether it is children or adults, they may be targeted by the influenza and will be infected if they are not careful. Many asthma patients have repeated symptoms such as chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and coughing after recovering from the influenza. At this time, the patients will be very puzzled. My influenza has obviously been cured, why do I still have those symptoms? Is the influenza not cured? In fact, the above symptoms are not caused by influenza, but the influenza triggers an acute attack of asthma.

Many asthma patients try to avoid asthma triggers in their daily lives, such as dust mites, pollen, irritating odors or strenuous exercise, but often overlook the most important factor, which is respiratory virus infection, including respiratory syncytial virus, rhinovirus, and influenza virus that causes flu. In recent years, many studies have confirmed that respiratory virus infection is the most important factor in inducing asthma, and the younger the age, the greater the correlation. Among them, up to 90% of asthma attacks in infants and young children are related to respiratory virus infection.

The mechanism by which respiratory viral infection triggers asthma attacks can be roughly divided into the following points: First, as a foreign antigen, the virus can induce symptoms similar to allergic asthma caused by pollen, dust mites, etc. Patients may show symptoms of upper respiratory tract allergies such as nasal itching and sneezing, and then develop symptoms of bronchial asthma; Second, because airway epithelial cells are the main site of viral infection, the airway epithelium is damaged after viral infection, which directly causes airway hyperresponsiveness; Third, damage to the airway epithelium causes the release of some inflammatory factors, and for patients with allergic asthma who already have airway inflammation, these inflammatory factors will cause asthma to worsen or induce asthma attacks; Fourth, in the case of viral infection, airway vascular permeability increases, leading to edema in the area, increased airway resistance, and asthma symptoms such as difficulty breathing; Fifth, viral infection can cause changes in airway structure, and airway remodeling is the main cause of repeated asthma attacks.

Now that we know the close connection between influenza virus infection and asthma attacks, it is particularly important to avoid influenza virus infection as much as possible. In addition to influenza vaccination, there are other preventive measures, such as avoiding contact with people with influenza-like symptoms, avoiding crowded areas, washing hands frequently, ventilating indoors, and exercising appropriately to enhance immunity. Of course, once infected with the influenza virus, you must seek medical attention in time and take anti-influenza virus drugs such as oseltamivir as soon as possible, which can also shorten the course of the disease and reduce the chance of asthma attacks.

The flu has arrived but the snow has not been seen, the stuffy cough is now present after recovery;

It's not that the flu hasn't been cured, it's asthma that's the culprit;

The first is the antigen, and the second is that the airways are more sensitive;

Acute factors also struggle, and local edema is even more difficult to deal with;

Flu infection is preventable, and vaccination is the first priority;

Ventilate the room frequently and clean it frequently. Please stay away from crowds.

If you are unfortunately infected, take medicine early and seek medical treatment in time to prevent asthma