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When you contract a respiratory infection caused by a virus, you often will have a flare of your asthmatic symptoms. In fact, the most frequent cause for emergency room visits and hospitalizations is respiratory infections. However, all viral infections of the respiratory tract are not equal in producing asthmatic symptoms. The one viral infection that has consistently caused major asthmatic attacks and has also been clearly associated with some fatal episodes of asthma is influenza. Therefore The Asthma Center specialists, as well as virtually every professional group of physicians, recommend an annual influenza vaccine as part of a comprehensive asthma treatment program. Pneumovax, an immunization for pneumonia, is also recommended if you have moderately severe to severe asthma.
Unfortunately, you may choose not to receive an influenza vaccine prior to the influenza season because you are concerned that the vaccine has caused "flu-like" symptoms in the past. However, the influenza vaccine is a dead virus and cannot possibly cause the "flu." The symptoms you experienced are adverse reactions and usually can be diminished or avoided by dividing the dose over a few office visits. At this time, guidelines recommend that FluMist,® a live viral vaccine, not be administered to you if you have asthma.
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