Asthma Flu Alert

21/06/2010

Issued by: National Asthma Council Australia, 21, June 2010 

Leading respiratory experts fear early warning signs are indicating a tough cold and flu season ahead, particularly for high risk Aussies with asthma. Sufferers are warned to brace themselves for what could be a challenging season, as figures announced today by the National Asthma Council Australia reveal 58 percent of adults with the condition have already suffered asthma attacks* at the start of winter.¹

The findings also show dangerous levels of complacency amongst adults with asthma, which affects more than two million Australians.² Many (43%) are still not planning to have their lungs checked by their GP, half have not yet been vaccinated against influenza and only 40% have an up-to-date written asthma action plan.¹

“This new review of asthma sufferers (conducted this month) suggests they are being hit hard. It is imperative anyone with asthma visits their GP within the next seven to 10 days for a lung health check, including flu vaccination, before the depth of winter hits,” said Associate Professor Peter Wark, National Asthma Council Australia Director.

“Even though an unusual season occurred last year, it should never be assumed that an easier ride is ahead, as all flu seasons can be highly dangerous for those with respiratory conditions,” he added.

Almost half of Australians with asthma surveyed reported they had already endured cold and flu symptoms and eight-in-ten have seen an increase in asthma symptoms (wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness of chest and coughing) since the cold weather hit.¹

“It is critical for asthma sufferers to understand they are at risk of serious complications from influenza such as pneumonia which usually requires hospitalisation. As well influenza is responsible for causing acute asthma attacks. Recent published data shows one-third of influenza (H1N1) admissions into Australian Intensive Care Units (ICU) last flu season were those with chronic lung conditions – notably asthma³,” said Associate Professor Wark.

When asked about their cold and flu encounters in 2009, it was found that seven-in-ten asthma sufferers were affected by colds and flu and one-third of these were officially diagnosed with influenza. Almost half (45%) of those who took time off work, as a result of their cold and flu and asthma symptoms, missed 5-10 working days.¹

Kristine Whorlow, Chief Executive Officer of the National Asthma Council adds: “One of the best ways people with asthma can protect themselves this winter is to ensure they have an up-to-date written asthma action plan. Preparing one with their doctor is essentially like a ‘life jacket’. It is a necessary and potentially life-saving tool that all people with asthma should arm themselves with,” she said.

* When asthma symptoms (such as wheezing, coughing, breathlessness) flare up or are out of control

More information, including an Asthma Flu Checklist and written asthma action plans, is available on the National Asthma Council Australia’s website www.nationalasthma.org.au.

Interviews available with:

Associate Professor Peter Wark, National Asthma Council Director and Co-director, Priority Research Centre for Asthma and Respiratory Disease, University of Newcastle

Dr Janet Rimmer, Research Leader, Upper Airway Research Group, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research (Sydney)

Dr Kerry Hancock, Chair, National Asthma Council’s GP Asthma Group (Adelaide)

Dr Ivan Treagus, General Practitioner (Perth)

Kristine Whorlow, CEO of National Asthma Council Australia (Melbourne based)

References:

² Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring 2008. Asthma in Australia 2008. AIHW Asthma Series 3. AIHW cat no. ACM14. Canberra: AIHW.

³ Kotsimbos, T. Influenza A/H1N1_09: Australia and New Zealand’s Winter of Discontent. Am J Respir Crit Care Med Vol 181. pp 300–306, 2010