People who suffer from asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) are at higher risk of severe H1N1 symptoms or complications. This is because, unlike the normal flu which usually stays in the upper respiratory tract, the H1N1 flu has been shown to affect the entire respiratory system. It infects the breathing tubes in the nose, throat and lungs. Those with asthma and COPD and other lung-related issues (cystic fibrosis, emphysema) are among those on the high priority lists for H1N1 vaccination clinics because of this reason.

If you are one of those patients with a respiratory disease - particularly asthma or COPD - you need to be extra vigilant about your health in the upcoming months.

H1N1 Flu Symptoms

To review, H1N1 flu symptoms are very similar to regular flu symptoms, but are usually quick in onset and more severe.

- fever (above 103 that lasts for three or four days)
- cough
- sore throat
- body aches
- runny nose
- headache
- chills (moderate to severe)
- loss of appetite
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (not associated with regular flu)
- fatigue (moderate to severe)

What You Need to Do

Beyond getting the H1N1 vaccination, if you have asthma or COPD, your focus needs to be on prevention.

  • Make sure you and everyone around you washes their hands or uses an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
  • Avoid contact with sick people and if you are around them, make sure that they know to not touch their nose, mouth, and eyes and then touch other surfaces that you will touch; Have them sneeze into their sleeve to prevent saliva and other fluids from spreading germs.
  • Disinfect commonly touched surfaces - counter tops, faucets (taps), toys, keyboards, doorknobs, handles (coffee pot, refrigerator, microwave), telephones, desks and tabletops.
  • Keep yourself healthy - get enough sleep, eat healthy food and exercise
  • Take your preventative medications. Some asthmatics and COPD sufferers forget or don't take them regularly as prescribed.
  • Have an extra supply of medications on hand.

    • (Keeping your condition under control means keeping your lungs as healthy as possible. The healthier they are, the better off they will be for fighting off the disease and avoiding major complications. There are more tips on at www.lung.ca.)

  • Make sure you have an asthma action plan or a COPD action plan filled out by your doctor or health care provider. This is a plan that gives you instructions on what you should do. A check-list to go by so you know when to seek medical attention. Each patient is different, so the guidelines may differ from patient to patient. If you would like a PDF file to take to your doctor or health care professional, you can download an action plan form from www.lung.ca.

    • When to Call 9-1-1

    If:

  • You can't breathe or have increased difficulty breathing
  • You have any of the following symptoms which are signs of severe H1N1: shortness of breath, blue or gray lips, pain/pressure in your chest or stomach, sudden dizziness, confusion, dehydration, lots of vomiting, seizures, re-onset of symptoms worse after a brief reprieve
  • the blue puffer doesn't improve your breathing

    • then you need to seek medical attention immediately. Don't wait.

    sources: www.cfra.com; www.lung.ca; www.flufacts.com; www.drwalt.com