Influenza, commonly known as “the flu,” is acontagious disease caused by a virus. It can causemild to severe illness and at times can lead to death.When someone who has influenza sneezes, coughs,or even talks, the influenza virus is expelled into theair and may be inhaled by anyone close by.

Who Gets the Flu?Each year, approximately 10% to 20% of the

American population get sick with the flu.Approximately 200,000 hospitalizations occurdue to influenza-associated illness each year.About 36,000 Americans die each year from fluand complications arising from flu.

Who Should Get Vaccinations?The American Lung Association recommends

that the following at-risk groups receive an annualflu vaccination:

• People over 65 years old (Pneumonia andinfluenza are the fifth leading cause of deathfor people over 65. Only about 69% ofAmericans 65 years and older receive the flushot annually.)

• People 50 to 64 years of age• Children from 6-months to 23-months old.• Residents of nursing homes and other chronic-

care facilities• Adults and children from 6-months old with

chronic lung or cardiovascular disorders,including asthma (Only 10% of children withasthma and 39% of adults with asthma getthe flu annually.)

• People with diabetes or chronic kidneydisease

• People with anemia• People who are immune-depressed or who

have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome(AIDS)

• Women who will be pregnant during the fluseason, which lasts from December to March

• Children between 6 months and 18 years ofage who are on long-term aspirin therapy

The influenza vaccine will not protect againstother respiratory infections, such as colds andbronchitis, even though those ailments are com-monly referred to as “the flu.” It’s also importantto remember that the flu can be a serious prob-lem for anyone, even if they are not in a high riskcategory, causing discomfort and absence fromschool and work.

Protecting Yourself from the FluWhat Is the Flu?

Vaccination rates among people with asthma arelow, in part because some medical professionalsand the public believe receiving the flu vaccine mayworsen asthma. However, the American LungAssociation Asthma Clinical Research Center net-work found that the opposite was true and thatreceiving the flu vaccine is safe for people withasthma. They did not find that the vaccine causeshigher rates of side effects for people with asthmacompared with people who did not receive the vac-cination. As a result, the Lung Association is urgingthose with asthma to get a flu shot.

The Flu Vaccine and Asthma

Each year, approximately 10% to 20%of the American population get sickwith the flu.

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How Can You Prevent the Flu?

Flu Shot Locator on American Lung Association’swww.lungusa.org aims to reduce Infection and Deaths

Influenza can be prevented with safe and effectivevaccines. Because the virus usually mutates each year,an annual shot is necessary. The American LungAssociation has launched an online flu-shot locator atwww.lungusa.org to help people obtain a flu vaccinationin their neighborhoods. The flu shot has been reportedto be between 67% and 92% effective in preventing fluand reducing the severity of the flu.

“Approximately 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000deaths are due to influenza-associated illness each year,so it is imperative for [at risk] people to receive the flushot annually,” said John Kirkwood, president of theAmerican Lung Association. “That’s why the AmericanLung Association launched this online flu-shot locatortool, and we are working overtime to make sure that asmany people as possibleuse it. Even if you missthe best time to receivethe flu shot, you can stillget a shot at anytimethroughout the season.”

“People who receive theflu shot have greatlyreduced their chances ofcontracting not only the

flu, but infectious complications of the flu,” said NormanH. Edelman, MD, the American Lung Association’s con-sultant for medical affairs. “Vaccination with the flu shothas been associated with reductions in physician visits,hospitalizations, and death among the elderly, amongyoung children, and among people with chronic condi-tions, including those with asthma.”

“We are pleased to be working with the AmericanLung Association to include the locations of CDC-funded public health providers and clinics to giveAmericans the best resource possible to find a flu vac-cine,” said Ray Strikas, MD, associate director foradult immunization at the Centers for Disease ControlNational Immunization Program.

Newsletter OnlineFor up-to-date information about the flu and how to

stay healthy this winter season log on to www.lungusa.orgto sign up for the American Lung Association’s flu e-

newsletter.

Reprint orders: Elsevier, Inc.,11830 Westline Industrial Dr.,St. Louis, MO 63146-3318;phone (314) 453-4350.doi: 10.1016/j.asthmam-ag.2004.12.002

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