Colds or flu are infections which can often trigger an asthma attack. This is particularly common in babies and young children, but asthmatics of all ages can find that breathing is more difficult, and extra medication is needed, after a viral infection.
Because the infections that cause asthma symptoms are nearly always viral rather than bacterial, they do not respond to antibiotics. If you have just had this kind of illness, you need to be particularly careful about taking your prescribed asthma medication and you may need to increase the dose.
You can’t lock yourself away from other people’s germs if you are to lead a normal life. However, it may be worth asking your doctor for a flu jab in the autumn to protect you against the commonest type of influenza.
