- Respiratory viruses such as influenza cause exacerbations in up to 80% of children with asthma and 50% of adults with asthma.
- During the 2022-2023 winter season, there has been an increase in the number of respiratory infections compared to recent years.
- During the current season alone, more than 5,000 cases have been confirmed in Mexico.
As occurs every winter season, there is an increase in the acute respiratory illnesses such as influenza. That is why it is important to reinforce basic prevention measures such as frequent hand washing, the use of face masks in closed places and vaccination. These measures become even more relevant in patients with asthma, who also need to have a control treatment for their disease.
Current panorama in Mexico
In Mexico during this seasonal influenza season have been reported more than 5 thousand 554 positive cases of this virus. This contributes to an increase in the number of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) cases of 4.5% compared to previous weeks. In this context, the chances of catching it are high, even children with asthma have four times more chances of viral infections than children without this condition.
So, although most people recover satisfactorily from these acute viral episodes, patients with asthma present themselves as a high-risk population group. In this regard, it has been determined that the Respiratory viruses such as influenza cause asthma exacerbations in 80% of the pediatric population, while in adults it is 50%. This evidence demonstrates a temporal association between viral infections and asthma attacks, so it is important to maintain a control plan in these patients.
The Dr. Said Arablin OropezaSanofi’s immunology medical manager, explains that asthma is a chronic disease that affects the lower respiratory tract, with symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath.
These signs appear as an exaggerated response of the immune system itself to things that are normally found in the environment but that are recognized as harmful and produce inflammation at the bronchial level. Precisely, Viruses such as influenza can trigger more severe symptoms in people with asthma.
“This virus alters the immune response and the normal pattern of lung function. If left unchecked, it can be responsible for causing increased inflammation and triggering an asthma attack, as well as increasing the likelihood of developing pneumonia. For this reason, long-term asthma control treatment and vaccination are key points to reduce these risks”.
Pharmacotherapy
The medications commonly used in the management of asthma are inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators. However, in the most severe cases, other treatments are available that specifically reduce inflammation, such as biologic therapy with monoclonal antibodieswhich allow long-term control, prevent loss of lung function, and reduce the risk of fatal seizures.
In addition, considering that the influenza virus does not let up, the most effective way to prevent it is vaccination. Unfortunately, statistics indicate that the number of asthmatic patients receiving the influenza vaccine is no more than 30%, which places them in a situation of greater risk of presenting not only infection, but also exacerbation of asthma. This is because they are not diagnosed in a timely manner and do not receive appropriate treatment.
For this reason, in this winter season it is important to go to the specialist to make a diagnosis of asthma and indicate the appropriate treatment to have it on hand in case of any risk. In addition, take advantage of the fact that the influenza vaccine covers a wide population group since it is indicated from six months, children under 5 years of age, older adults, pregnant women and patients with chronic diseases such as asthma.
Also read:
The 5 most common respiratory diseases during winter
5 steps to strengthen your immune system during winter
Early winter, the culprit of the increase in cases of influenza in Mexico?