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H1N1 flu (swine flu)

Advice on H1N1 flu (swine flu) for people with asthma or COPD

This page explains how people with asthma, COPD, and other lung diseases can prepare for H1N1 flu (swine flu).

On another page, we give general information on H1N1 flu: symptoms, warning signs, and treatment.

If you have a long-term lung disease like asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), you are more likely to get severe symptoms of H1N1 flu and more likely to need hospital care for it. H1N1 flu can make your asthma or COPD symptoms much worse.

Because you are at higher risk from H1N1 flu, you should take extra steps to protect yourself:

  1. Get the H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot as soon as possible. Learn more about H1N1 flu shots and seasonal flu shots. Ask for a shot to prevent bacterial pneumonia. Some people who have H1N1 flu develop bacterial pneumonia, and it can be deadly.
  2. Take steps to fight germs: wash your hands properly, avoid touching your face, and disinfect countertops, taps, and doorhandles. Ask everyone at home and work to do the same.
  3. Make sure your asthma or COPD symptoms are under control. When you keep your symptoms under control, your lungs are healthier. If you do catch the flu, your lungs will be better at fighting it off. If your asthma or COPD symptoms are not under control, make an appointment with your doctor and ask for help.
  4. Follow your asthma action plan or COPD action plan. Everyone with asthma or COPD should have an action plan — written instructions from your doctor that explain what to do when your symptoms get worse. If you don't have an action plan, get one. Ask your doctor or health care provider to fill it out for you.
  5. Take your medicines as your doctor prescribed. Many people with asthma and COPD are supposed to take preventer medicines every day. Sometimes people forget to take their preventer medicines. If you’re supposed to take your preventer medicine every day, but you forgot, start taking it now. If you’re not sure how or when to take your medicine, look at your asthma action plan or COPD action plan or see your doctor.
  6. Have an extra supply of your asthma or COPD medicines on hand. Many people with asthma and COPD take medicine regularly, and they take extra medicine when their symptoms are worse. To be prepared for a possible lung infection or another emergency, have an extra supply of your medicine on hand (two week’s supply or more, if possible).
  7. If you have flu symptoms, call your doctor right away. Your doctor will decide if you need to take flu medicine (an antiviral, called Tamiflu®). Call 911 or your local emergency number if:
Learn more about H1N1 flu (swine flu)

H1N1 flu symptoms, warning signs, treatment; what to do if you think you have it

H1N1 flu shots and seasonal flu shots: facts and FAQs

How to prevent H1N1 flu: all about hand washing, controlling germs, and preparing for a flu pandemic

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