Not long ago, the assistant received a private message from a patient asking whether the flu shot would be useful for asthma patients.
In the past two days, we have also seen that many communities have begun to vaccinate against influenza. What are the precautions for asthma patients? Why does respiratory infection cause asthma attacks? How to protect yourself in autumn and winter? We also interviewed Dr. Wang Ying, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, on these issues.
Why do doctors urge asthma patients to get a flu shot, but warn others not to get a flu shot
Dr. Wang Ying introduced that, as a chronic airway disease, asthmatic patients have weaker airway defense mechanisms than ordinary people and are more prone to respiratory infections. They can get an annual influenza vaccine.
Just be aware that vaccination should be avoided during flare-ups. It should be known that in the acute attack period, the patient has more inflammatory cell infiltration based on the original airway epithelial cilia damage, ciliary loss and other pathogenic mechanisms. When the patient is in such an acute attack state, vaccination is not recommended.
In addition, because influenza vaccine has certain biological antigenicity, it stimulates the body to produce antibodies and plays an immune role by simulating the antigenicity of influenza virus. But asthma itself is an allergic disease, and some asthmatics happen to have an allergic reaction to the antigens of the flu vaccine, which induces asthma. For such patients, if they have had the experience of vaccination-induced asthma attacks, and there is such a clear chronological correlation, then influenza vaccination is not recommended.
It is often said that “this inflammation is not that inflammation”, how does the inflammation of respiratory tract infection cause asthma inflammation?
Introduced by Dr. Wang Ying, it is indeed “this inflammation is not another inflammation.” Although we call these two types of inflammation in Chinese, they are two words in English, and our doctors also I have always emphasized to patients that the airway inflammation in asthma is not the inflammation that we usually talk about, so how are they inseparable?
First of all, whether it is a bacterial virus or a fungus, this infectious inflammation is also caused by the stimulation of these pathogens to the body. After being stimulated by various pathogens in the early stage In the later stage, many chronic inflammatory factors of the airway will also be generated to participate in the interaction. The non-infectious immune inflammatory mechanism can also be induced in the later stage of infectious inflammation, thereby inducing asthma.
How can I tell if I have a simple asthma attack or a respiratory infection?
Dr. Wang Ying introduced that in terms of subjective symptoms of patients, it is actually indistinguishable. Compared with infection, there will be more acute respiratory symptoms, such as fever, coughing yellow sputum, These are very prominent symptoms of acute respiratory infection.
For these patients, some laboratory tests will find inflammatory indicators, and some will be significantly elevated. At these times, in addition to giving patients anti-allergic, antispasmodic and antiasthmatic, and relaxing breath These treatments should be accompanied by anti-infective treatment. Self-medication is not recommended, and it is best to seek medical attention in time.
In addition to getting the flu vaccine, asthma patients want to get through the fall and winter smoothly, and these protective knowledge must be known!
Dr. Wang Ying introduced that in addition to often telling patients to pay attention to their work and rest, live a regular life, and exercise moderately, in autumn, as the temperature drops sharply, some autumn plants such as wormwood pollen begin to release various Many asthmatic patients are allergic to this type of autumn grass pollen, so they must be protected in advance.
In addition to the temperature difference between indoor and outdoor, not only the cold as we often say, it will cause the smooth muscles of the airways of asthma patients to contract violently, from the cold Entering a warm room from outside, such as suddenly going from a very cold place to a warm and humid place such as a sauna or bathroom, Such drastic temperature changes can also trigger an asthma attack.
At the same time as regular medication in autumn and winter, remember to carry emergency medication with you when you go out.