Flu Season: COPD & Asthma – What are the risks?

As the cold weather creeps in, coughs, colds and the flu will be prevalent amongst many this winter. The influenza vaccine is available annually and is usually down to personal choice, however for those with severe symptoms of COPD and asthma, this vaccine amongst others, has become less a matter of personal preference and more of an urgent need. In our latest blog article, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Dr John Chinegwundoh talks about the greater influenza risks for people suffering with COPD and Asthma.

What is COPD?

COPD is a progressive disease where the air sacs and tubes in the lungs become damaged, causing you breathing difficulties whilst increasing the risk of chest infection.

COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It is a long-term disease that often encompasses two common conditions which exist in varying proportions from patient to patient. These are Emphysema, where the air sacs called the alveoli are destroyed, and Chronic Bronchitis, where the bronchial tubes going into the lungs are damaged and inflamed.

Receiving a diagnosis

When you meet your health professional you will be asked about symptoms, your smoking history, your occupation, and any other medical history. 

Your doctor will measure your oxygen saturation levels before asking you to do a breathing test termed spirometry. Typically, a Chest X-ray and some more detailed lung function tests will also be requested.

These tests should secure your diagnosis and give you clear information on the severity of your condition along with recommended treatments.

COPD and Asthma

Many of the symptoms of COPD overlap with Asthma. However the treatment and outlook differ so it’s important you receive an accurate diagnosis to make sure you get the best treatment.  

COPD and Asthma tend to occur amongst different age groups; Asthma is often first  recognised in childhood or early adulthood whereas COPD is typically prevalent in  the middle aged and the elderly.

Symptom wise, if you are an Asthmatic, you will experience more variability in symptoms from morning to night - often your symptoms are worse overnight.  This is mainly due to the falling levels of the protective hormone, Cortisol, which hits its lowest levels during the night.   

You might also identify particular environmental triggers such as dust, exercise or cold air. Conditions like hayfever or eczema are also sometimes linked to asthma.

While breathlessness, wheeze and cough can occur in both conditions, the pattern is often different. With COPD you might have a long-term cough often with mucus production, or recurrent chest infections, especially winter bronchitis, whereas Asthmatics can go weeks or months without any symptoms at all.

Some patients who have never had their Asthma treated properly can develop COPD commonly known as ‘Overlap Syndrome’ or ACOS  (Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome).  However, frequent smokers that contract COPD can also have late-onset features of Asthma.

Most often your diagnosis will depend in part on your lung repair capability. Some patients have a genetic deficiency of an important repair enzyme called alpha one antitrypsin. Two people can have the same exposure to cigarette smoke and find that their lungs are affected very differently.

Why the flu jab is the best protection?

Your doctor may advise that you get a yearly influenza vaccination.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention states that the flu shot is your best protection against influenza. A recent study suggested that influenza is the  second most common virus after the common cold virus (rhinovirus) to cause a flare up or exacerbation of COPD.

The World Health Organization also advocates getting all three vaccinations: shots for influenza, pneumonia and the most recent Coronavirus. Not only does the flu shot reduce symptoms for both COPD and Asthma patients , but it can also reduce your risk of contracting pneumonia, which is common amongst unvaccinated COPD sufferers. Contracting influenza also increases your risk of both bacterial and fungal infections.

How to manage COPD and asthma during flu season

Along with treatments from your doctor, there are other things you can do to reduce the severity and frequency of your symptoms. Congestion from influenza may cause your airways to swell, putting more pressure on an already limited lung capacity.

Inhaler

There are a range of inhalers which can help your lungs work better and reduce flare ups. 

Bronchodilators help open up your breathing tubes. Some are short acting and can work quickly with their effect wearing off after a few hours whilst others work more slowly but last from 12-24 hours. 

Steroid based inhalers will reduce inflammation and swelling in your bronchial tubes which not only allows more air to pass down the tubes but also tackles mucus production and irritation, hence improving  your cough symptoms and rates of infection.

Tablets

For more severe cases, tablets will open up your airways. Oral medication called mucolytics can also help with your symptoms by breaking down the mucus in the bronchial tubes.

Top tips to cope with COPD this flu season

If you have COPD it is essential to protect yourself against respiratory infections which could have a major impact on your health. Here are five tips to help protect yourself this winter:

• Consider getting your annual flu jab as well as the Pneumonia jab
• Covid boosters are highly recommended
• Eliminate environmental hazards including smoke and dust
• Keep warm
• Continue to wear a mask

For more information on Respiratory health, you can speak to one of our Consultant Respiratory Physicians or call 020 8949 9020. Alternatively you can fill in our online form.