H1N1 Flu

Swine Flu Info

Content on this page was developed during the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic and has not been updated.

The H1N1 virus that caused that pandemic is now a regular human flu virus and continues to circulate seasonally worldwide.
The English language content on this website is being archived for historic and reference purposes only.
For current, updated information on seasonal flu, including information about H1N1, see the CDC Seasonal Flu website.

2009 H1N1 and People with Asthma

January 21, 2010, 9:00 AM ET

People with asthma who develop influenza – either seasonal flu or 2009 H1N1 flu - are at increased risk for serious complications and are more likely to be hospitalized. The flu may also make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have the flu. If you have asthma, you should follow the recommended steps for protecting yourself from the flu, and follow an updated, written Asthma Action Plan, developed with your doctor. Everyone with asthma who is 6 months and older should get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 with a flu shot. This includes people 65 and older. Everyone with asthma who is 6 months and older also should get a seasonal flu shot. People with asthma should talk with their health care provider now and plan what to do if they get a flu-like illness. It’s very important that antiviral drugs be used early to treat flu in people who are very sick (for example people who are in the hospital) and people who are sick with flu and have a medical condition that puts them at increased risk of serious flu complications, like asthma.

Asthma Information for Patients and Parents of Patients