MILWAUKEE (AAAAI) -- Influenza can exacerbate asthma in children and adults. Now is the time for the nation's 17 million asthmatics to protect themselves from the influenza virus.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and the American Thoracic Society (ATS) recommend that patients with asthma and respiratory diseases, receive the influenza vaccine, or "flu shot," to minimize the possibility of catching the virus.

The symptoms of influenza, which include fever, chills, generalized muscle pains, headache, fatigue and cough, can be especially severe for patients with respiratory diseases, such as asthma. In some cases, the influenza virus can damage the lungs, and influenza may make patients more susceptible to pneumonia. In severe cases influenza can be fatal.

The influenza vaccination protects against acute asthma exacerbations in children, according to a study in March 2001 issue of The Journal of Pediatrics. Researchers studied children visiting emergency rooms for asthma attacks among children 1 to 6 years old. Influenza vaccination decreased the risk of asthma exacerbations in subjects by as much as 22% to 41%. Researchers concluded that vaccinating all children with asthma could prevent 59% to 78% of asthma hospitalizations and emergency room visits during influenza seasons.

Patients often wait until they are exposed to the influenza virus to get immunized, however, the optimal time for patients to receive the shot is before they are exposed to the virus. The vaccination, which is covered by Medicare, begins offering protection about two weeks after it is administered. Typically, influenza cases peak in January and February. Getting the flu shot now gives your body time to build immunity to the strains of influenza predicted to be most prevalent in the months to follow.The following groups are at risk and should get the influenza vaccine ("flu shot"):

• People age 65 and older;
• Residents of long-term care facilities;
• Patients with chronic health conditions such as asthma, lung disease, emphysema, heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, anemia and blood disorders, immune deficiency, AIDS;
• Patients undergoing treatments such as cortisone therapy, cancer treatment, aspirin treatment (Children on aspirin can develop Reyes Syndrome if they catch influenza.);
• Pregnant women;
• Physicians, nurses and others in the health care industry;
• Anyone coming in close contact with people at risk.

The flu shot does pose some concern for people allergic to eggs. The influenza vaccine is grown in chicken eggs. Although almost all of the egg protein is filtered out of the vaccine, people with egg allergy should check with their allergist before receiving the flu shot.