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Can You Run A Fever With Asthma

What Can Cause Allergy Symptoms And Fever

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Viral infections can cause a person to develop allergy-like symptoms alongside a fever.

One notable indication that a person has allergies is that allergy symptoms last only as long as people are experiencing an exposure to the allergen. Other causes, such as the flu or common cold, can last much longer.

Additionally, allergies cause a person to experience itchy and watery eyes. This does not typically occur alongside a cold or flu.

Flu Asthma And Pregnancy

As if asthma and the flu werent enough on their own, pregnancy adds another factor into the mix. Some women find that their asthma gets worse during pregnancy.

If youre pregnant, tell your obstetrician about your asthma. Work with your doctors to keep it under control. And get your flu shot. Its safe and recommended for pregnant women.

Fever From Allergies: Allergy

A challenging diagnostic for your doctor

For most people, fever is not a symptom that is immediately associated with allergies, although your doctor could probably tell you that many allergy sufferers also complain from long-lasting low-grade fever. There is some evidence to support the idea that allergies can predispose a person to developing infections, which would explain the high temperature, but allergy-induced fever is very difficult to diagnose correctly. Furthermore, no studies to date have assessed the prevalence of this condition or what factors, such as age or type of allergy, are most likely to cause it.

Low-grade fever as a secondary infection

When you come into contact with the substance that triggers your allergy, immediately your start feeling symptoms coming on. It probably starts with nasal congestion and runny and itchy nose. Then comes the sneezing and your eyes start to water an itch. By this stage, your body has declared war on the intruder and an immune response is in full swing. As mucus production increases, consequence of histamine release, your air ways become blocked and inflamed, which is the stimulus to start coughing.

No wonder, after all this, that you feel exhausted and with a headache. This is a common symptom caused by the swollen sinuses, placing excessive pressure on the head .

How to treat the allergy and the infection?

Contact dermatitis can also cause fever

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Hay Fever Can Make Asthma Worse And More Difficult To Control

The reason that the presence of allergic rhinitis can make asthma more difficult to control is not entirely clear.  It has been suggested that breathing through your mouth when your nose is blocked can worsen asthma by bypassing the noses filtering and humidifying function. Another thought is that nasal inflammation  can trigger or set off the lower airways or lungs inflammation, sensitivity, and narrowing.  People with asthma who have hay fever  experience:

  • More asthma flare-ups
  • More visits to their GP and have more asthma-related hospitalisations
  • More time off work or school
  • Higher yearly medical costs 2,3,4

Research shows treating hay fever  can reduce asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalisations, and may help to improve your asthma symptoms.  It is important to treat and manage both your asthma and allergic rhinitis to feel well.

TIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH HAY FEVER

If you have allergic rhinitis and asthma, treating your allergic rhinitis will help keep your asthma under control.

  • Know the symptoms of hay fever  and asthma
  • Have the right plan and medications in place to best handle your symptoms
  • Check you are using your asthma and allergic rhinitis medications correctly

HOW TO TREAT YOUR HAY FEVER SYMPTOMS

How Do You Monitor Asthma Symptoms

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Monitoring your asthma symptoms is an essential piece of managing the disease. Your healthcare provider may have you use a peak flow meter. This device measures how fast you can blow air out of your lungs. It can help your provider make adjustments to your medication. It also tells you if your symptoms are getting worse.

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Flu Vaccines For People With Asthma

  • Injectable influenza vaccines are approved for use in people 6 months and older regardless of whether or not they have asthma or other health conditions. Flu shots have a long-established safety record in people with asthma.
  • The nasal spray vaccine is an option for use in people 2 through 49 years old who are not pregnant, but people with certain chronic medical conditions should generally not receive LAIV.
  • People of any age with asthma might be at increased risk for wheezing after getting the nasal spray flu vaccine and should talk to their health care provider before getting the nasal spray vaccine.
  • Children 2 to 4 years old who have asthma or who have had a history of wheezing in the past 12 months should not get the nasal spray vaccine.

There are several flu vaccine options available this season. Your doctor or other health care professional can answer any questions you might have about flu vaccine.

Get pneumococcal vaccines.

  • Pneumococcal pneumonia is an example of a serious flu-related complication that can cause death.
  • People who have heart disease should also be up to date with pneumococcal vaccination to protect against pneumococcal disease, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections.
  • You can get either Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine or Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine when you get a flu vaccine.
  • Talk to your health care provider to find out which pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for you.

What Asthma Treatment Options Are There

You have options to help manage your asthma. Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to control symptoms. These include:

  • Anti-inflammatory medicines: These medicines reduce swelling and mucus production in your airways. They make it easier for air to enter and exit your lungs. Your healthcare provider may prescribe them to take every day to control or prevent your symptoms.
  • Bronchodilators: These medicines relax the muscles around your airways. The relaxed muscles let the airways move air. They also let mucus move more easily through the airways. These medicines relieve your symptoms when they happen.
  • Biologic therapies for asthma when symptoms persist despite being on proper inhaler therapy.

You can take asthma medicines in several different ways. You may breathe in the medicines using a metered-dose inhaler, nebulizer or other inhaler. Your healthcare provider may prescribe oral medications that you swallow.

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Whats The Connection Between Asthma And Pneumonia

People who have chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma may be at higher risk of developing pneumonia.

If you have asthma and get the flu, your symptomsand your complicationsmay be worse than they are for someone who doesnt have asthma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , people with asthma who get the flu are more likely to develop pneumonia as a complication.

One of the treatments for asthma is inhaled corticosteroids. According to one study, these medications may themselves increase the risk of respiratory infections and pneumonia.

Some of the key differences between the conditions can be seen in the table below.

Asthma

Pneumonia can be viral or bacterial:

  • Viral pneumonia symptoms start out much like those of the flu and include fever, muscle pain, and dry cough. As it progresses, the cough gets worse and you may produce mucus. Shortness of breath and fever can follow.
  • Bacterial pneumonia symptoms include a temperature that could go as high as 105°F . Such a high fever can lead to confusion and delirium. Your pulse and breathing rates may rise. Your nail beds and lips may turn blue due to lack of oxygen.

Researchers arent sure exactly what causes asthma. There may be an inherited tendency to develop asthma. There may also be environmental factors.

Pneumonia can be caused by a variety of things, such as:

  • viruses, including the flu virus
  • bacteria

What Should I Do If I Have A Severe Asthma Attack

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A severe asthma attack needs immediate medical care. The first step is your rescue inhaler. A rescue inhaler uses fast-acting medicines to open up your airways. Its different than your normal maintenance inhaler, which you use every day. You should only use the rescue inhaler in an emergency.

If your rescue inhaler doesnt help or you dont have it with you, go to the emergency department if you have:

  • Anxiety or panic.
  • Bluish fingernails, bluish lips or gray or whitish lips or gums .
  • Chest pain or pressure.

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Im Pregnant Can I Take Allergic Rhinitis Medicines

If your allergic rhinitis is troublesome, or if effective treatment for your allergic rhinitis helps control your asthma symptoms, your doctor might recommend that you take medicine while you are pregnant.

If you discover that you are pregnant while using medicines for allergic rhinitis, tell your doctor straight away.

Some corticosteroid nasal sprays have a good safety rating during pregnancy. Most allergic rhinitis medicines have no particular safety concerns for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking any medicines when you are pregnant.

What Are Common Asthma Attack Triggers

An asthma attack happens when someone comes in contact with substances that irritate them. Healthcare providers call these substances triggers. Knowing what triggers your asthma makes it easier to avoid asthma attacks.

For some people, a trigger can bring on an attack right away. Sometimes, an attack may start hours or days later.

Triggers can be different for each person. But some common triggers include:

  • Air pollution: Many things outside can cause an asthma attack. Air pollution includes factory emissions, car exhaust, wildfire smoke and more.
  • Dust mites: You cant see these bugs, but they are in many homes. If you have a dust mite allergy, they can cause an asthma attack.
  • Exercise: For some people, exercising can cause an attack.
  • Mold: Damp places can spawn mold. It can cause problems for people with asthma. You dont even have to be allergic to mold to have an attack.
  • Pests: Cockroaches, mice and other household pests can cause asthma attacks.
  • Pets: Your pets can cause asthma attacks. If youre allergic to pet dander , breathing in the dander can irritate your airways.
  • Tobacco smoke: If you or someone in your home smokes, you have a higher risk of developing asthma. The best solution is to quit smoking.
  • Strong chemicals or smells.

With asthma, you may not have all of these symptoms. You may have different signs at different times. And symptoms can change between asthma attacks.

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Is There Anything I Can Eat To Relieve The Symptoms

Yes, you can. And monitoring your vitamin intake can make a difference.

Vitamin A is crucial to maintaining the stability of your mucous membrane . Trade white potato for sweet potato, supplement meat dishes with kidney and eat plenty of fresh vegetables such as spinach and pumpkin.

Vitamin B5 works hard to reduce allergic symptoms and a healthy 100mg a day will help. Eggs, meat and peanut butter are all good sources, though be careful when preparing food over the summer this fragile vitamin breaks down easily in heat.

Sufficient zinc intake is especially important for feeding your immune system good sources of zinc include shellfish and all bran cereal, though not necessarily at the same time! A 100mg hit of magnesium will also help handily, you’ll find it in any green vegetables.

Still hungry? Eating local honey is believed to relieve hay fever symptoms. Because the honey contains a small amount of local pollen, it acts as an inoculation to ward off hay fever symptoms.

Why Flu Is An Asthma Trigger

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If you have asthma, you probably already know your triggers . Triggers are the things that make asthma flare-up, including:

  • Cigarette smoke.
  • Wheezing.
  • Chest tightness

Many viruses can trigger asthma, including rhinoviruses and coronaviruses, which cause respiratory infections, says Dr. Thiruchelvam. People with asthma can have a more severe illness from the virus. It also takes them longer to recover.

Maybe you have asthma thats mild and intermittent. You might think the flu isnt a big deal. But thats not the case. Even if you only use your inhaler occasionally, youll still have more flu complications than someone without asthma, Dr. Thiruchelvam explains. This can be surprising to people who have mild or intermittent cases.

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Allergy Or Rhinitis Symptoms

Irritants and allergens can cause inflammation in your nose. This is called rhinitis. When your symptoms coincide with a certain season of the year, its commonly called hay fever even though it doesn’t cause a fever and can be triggered by many different allergens.

Common allergens that can cause rhinitis include animal dander, dust mites, mold and pollen.

Allergy symptoms can include:

  • Clean your floors weekly with a CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® vacuum.
  • Plan indoor activities on days when pollen and mold counts are high.
  • Keep your windows closed during high pollen and mold seasons. When entering your home, leave your shoes at the door.

If reducing your exposure to allergens isnt enough, there are several treatments that can help. Treatments can include  nasal sprays, antihistamines, decongestants and immunotherapy . See a board-certified allergist for testing. They can recommend a treatment plan to help you get some relief.

Uncontrolled rhinitis can lead to sinusitis, a sinus infection. If you have asthma, rhinitis symptoms can irritate your lungs and cause asthma symptoms. So if you have allergies, its important to get treatment to make sure they are well-controlled.

What Effect Does Treating Hay Fever Have On Asthma

Treating hay fever might improve asthma symptoms.5 People who take antihistamines for hay fever have less chest tightness, wheezing, breathlessness, cough, and nocturnal symptoms.2 Small studies have shown that antihistamines improve lung function and make the airways less sensitive .2

Several small studies have shown that when nasal sprays also reduce wheezing, breathlessness, and airways sensitivity. People treated for hay fever are less likely to go to the emergency department or be hospitalized for asthma.2

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What Can I Do To Avoid Suffering From Hay Fever

Emberlin advises, Talk to your GP or pharmacist about treatments and remedies. Because of problems with some medications, consider using inert gels and natural barrier treatments such as Care Allergy Defence this has no known side effects or interactions with other medication. This means that even if you are pregnant or are intolerant to other medicines, you can still use it.

If that doesnt work, run to the hills. According to the Emberlin, coastal and hilly areas are the best places to be because they have low levels of hay fever-exacerbating air pollution.

How Is Asthmatic Bronchitis Treated

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Treatment for asthmatic bronchitis begins with seeking medical care from your health care provider. The goal of treatment for asthmatic bronchitis is to reduce asthma-related bronchospasm and reduce congestion caused by the acute bronchitis. Asthma medications include long-term asthma control medications to prevent asthma attacks, which is especially important in the case of acute bronchitis. Short-term asthma medications are given in the event of an asthma attack. Acute bronchitis is not normally treated with antibiotics, since the most common cause is a viral infection. Expectorants can help thin mucus in the airways, making it easier to cough up mucus.

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Your Peak Flow Can Show Early Signs Of Trouble

Your peak expiratory flow meter can alert you to problems early during flu season. Dr. Thiruchelvam says that a reduction in peak flow of greater than 20 percent from normal, or from your personal best value, indicates the presence of an asthma exacerbation. Peak flow levels often drop when you come down with the flu and even when you dont feel sick. If your peak flow level is low, talk to your healthcare provider.  Together, you can discuss management before the flu slams you with symptoms.

The flu comes on suddenly, Dr. Thiruchelvam explains. You might feel fine in the morning, and by afternoon, you feel terrible. Even if you dont think youre sick, check your peak flow every day. If its low, talk to your doctor. Dont wait until you notice a problem.

Key Steps To Reduce The Likelihood Of An Attack:

Take your asthma medication

If you are asthmatic and have a pollen allergy, ensure you have your asthma medication with you at all times. Particularly your blue reliever inhaler.

But also take your hay fever medicine

Research has shown that asthma sufferers who also have hay fever can significantly reduce their risk of needing to go to A&E if they treat their hay fever effectively.

 Antihistamines will reduce your sensitivity to the histamine released by your body in response to the pollen.

If you are taking Fexofenadine ensure you are not taking them with orange juice or grapefruit as this can dramatically reduce the efficacy of your medication.

Read our full article on how grapefruit affects your medication 

Some antihistamine medications become less effective after continued use. If one antihistamine is not working for you, speak with your pharmacist and try alternatives to see if others work better.

Be careful taking antihistamines that can cause drowsiness.

Many of the same antihistamine medication is marketed by different drug companies, look carefully at the generic name of the medication and you may find it is possible to buy the identical medication much cheaper as a generic brand. Ask your pharmacist to help and advise.

When does hay fever season start?

Grass pollens are the most common cause of hay fever, being the trigger for 95% of peoples hay fever. It usually affects people in May, June and July.

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Reducing The Burden Of Asthma

Asthma cannot be cured, but good management with inhaled medications can control the disease and enable people with asthma to enjoy a normal, active life.

There are two main types of inhaler:

  • bronchodilators , that open the air passages and relieve symptoms; and
  • steroids , that reduce inflammation in the air passages. This improves asthma symptoms and reduces the risk of severe asthma attacks and death.

People with asthma may need to use their inhaler every day. Their treatment will depend on the frequency of symptoms and the different types of inhalers available.

It can be difficult to coordinate breathing using an inhaler especially for children and during emergency situations. Using a spacer device makes it easier to use an aerosol inhaler and helps the medicine to reach the lungs more effectively. A spacer is a plastic container with a mouthpiece or mask at one end, and a hole for the inhaler in the other. A homemade spacer, made from a 500-ml plastic bottle, can be as effective as a commercially-manufactured inhaler. 

Access to inhalers is a problem in many countries. In 2019, only half of people with asthma had access to a bronchodilator and less than one in five had access to a steroid inhaler in public primary health-care facilities in low-income countries .

What Causes Asthmatic Bronchitis

Effects of Asthma in Long and Short Run

Asthmatic bronchitis refers to the occurrence of acute bronchitis in conjunction with asthma . Acute bronchitis is a respiratory disease that causes inflammation in the bronchi, the passageways that move air into and out of the lungs. The inflammation results in respiratory congestion and shortness of breath. The most common cause of asthmatic bronchitis is an upper viral respiratory infection.

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How Do You Get Rid Of Exercise

What treatments exist? The gold standard of exercised-induced asthma treatment is a prescription albuterol inhaler. You can carry it with you and use it about 15 to 20 minutes before exercise to prevent asthma symptoms. Its an effective treatment for about 80 percent of exercise-induced asthma cases.

How Are Asthma And Pneumonia Diagnosed

If you have the symptoms of asthma, your doctor will want a complete medical history. A physical exam includes inspecting your nose, throat, and airways.

Your doctor will use a stethoscope to listen to your lungs as you breathe. A whistling sound is a sign of asthma. You may also be asked to breathe into a spirometer to test your lung function. They may also perform allergy tests.

If your symptoms point toward pneumonia, your doctor will probably start by listening to your lungs. One of the hallmarks of pneumonia is that your lungs make a crackling sound when you breathe.

In most cases, a chest X-ray can confirm the diagnosis. If necessary, a CT chest scan can get a more detailed look at lung function.

You may also need blood work to make sure youre getting enough oxygen and to get a count of your white blood cells . Checking your mucus can also help your doctor determine what type of pneumonia you have.

Asthma requires both short-term treatment and long-term management. In most cases, doctors can treat and cure pneumonia within a short time.

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Triggers For Asthma In Children

Asthma triggers are substances, conditions or activities that lead to asthma symptoms. These include : 

  • wheezing whistling noise when breathing 
  • coughing . 

Your child may have all of these symptoms or just a few. Symptoms are often worse at night, in the early morning, during exercise or due to other triggers. 

What Is A Fever

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A person has a fever when his or her body temperature is higher than normal. Having a fever is a sign that the persons body is reacting to something unusual. Often, having a fever can be one of the symptoms of a virus or infection.1,2

The average normal body temperature for adults is 98.6 F . However, not everyones average normal temperature is exactly 98.6 F it may actually be a little higher or lower than that. There are different kinds of fevers, depending on how much higher than normal the persons temperature is. These ranges apply to adults:

  • Low grade fever around 100 F to 101 F
  • High grade fever around 102 F to 104 F
  • Dangerous fever around 104 F and higher

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What Types Of Asthma Are There

Healthcare providers identify asthma as intermittent or persistent . Persistent asthma can be mild, moderate or severe. Healthcare providers base asthma severity on how often you have attacks. They also consider how well you can do things during an attack.

Asthma can be:

  • Allergic: Some peoples allergies can cause an asthma attack. Molds, pollens and other allergens can cause an attack.
  • Non-allergic: Outside factors can cause asthma to flare up. Exercise, stress, illness and weather may cause a flare.

What Is An Asthma Action Plan

Your healthcare provider will work with you to develop an asthma action plan. This plan tells you how and when to use your medicines. It also tells you what to do if your asthma gets worse and when to seek emergency care. Understand the plan and ask your healthcare provider about anything you dont understand.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Hay Fever

Symptoms of hay fever are:1,4,5

Some people only have symptoms during spring, summer, and early fall.6 These symptoms are usually caused by mold or pollen allergies. Other people have symptoms all year long. These are called perennial allergies and are usually caused by pets, dust mites, cockroaches, or mold.

Asthma Emergencies In Children

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Symptoms of an asthma attack can worsen and develop into an asthma emergency. To prepare for an asthma emergency, make sure your childs doctor has written an asthma action plan for your child. 

Have a copy of your childs asthma action plan pinned up somewhere easy to access at home, and send a copy to anyone who cares for your child, including their school, kinder, childcare service, family members and friends. You may like to take a photo of their asthma action plan so you always have a copy with you. 

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