Flu facts and the danger it poses

Sir, As we move into flu season, it is time for people with asthma to protect themselves against the flu virus. New analysis by Asthma UK reveals that around one million Brits with asthma are at risk because they are not planning to get the flu vaccine – even though eight in 10 people with asthma say flu is a top trigger for life-threatening asthma attacks.

That’s why Asthma UK is urging people with asthma to get the flu vaccine as soon as possible to reduce their risk of catching the virus and prevent a life-threatening asthma attack.

The flu virus can increase the inflammation in the airways so they can become narrow, leaving people coughing, wheezing and gasping for breath. This increased inflammation also means people are more likely to react to other triggers, such as pollen or pollution, increasing the chance of an asthma attack.

Every asthma attack is potentially life-threatening with around three people dying from one in the UK every day.

Unfortunately, there are lots of myths about the flu jab not working, causing side-effects or causing flu, and our research shows this is preventing people from getting it. But the vaccine can’t give you flu, the potential side-effects are minimal and it could save people’s lives by preventing a life-threatening asthma attack.

We are urging people to get the facts about flu so they can make an informed decision by visiting asthma. org.uk/flu

Yours, Dr Andy Whittamore, Clinical Lead at Asthma UK and a practising GP.