Asthma & H1N1

Did you know that asthma is the most common underlying condition for H1N1 hospitalizations? 

Nearly one-third, or 28 percent, of adults and children hospitalized with H1N1, also known as swine flu, have asthma. That's more than any other chronic condition, according to a recent analysis of cases published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

CNN and Health.com report on why asthmatics need to be vaccinated and what to do if they get the H1N1 flu.

"Asthma is sort of an accident waiting to happen," says Gower, who is also an allergist/immunologist at Marycliff Allergy Specialists, in Spokane, Washington. People with asthma are at risk for breathing trouble with infections in general, not just H1N1.

The lungs of people with asthma tend to bronchospasm, meaning they tighten in response to triggers, such as pollen, pet allergens, bacteria, viruses, or other insults. In the case of an infection like H1N1, the lungs produce mucus in response to the germ, and  the mucus can get trapped in the narrow airways, setting the stage for pneumonia.

The full story is at CNN.com here.
More info for people with asthma from the CDC here.