Every year, seasonal respiratory viruses like the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affect millions of Americans. For most people, these infections cause cold-like symptoms. But for people with chronic lung conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), catching a seasonal virus can trigger more severe symptoms associated with those respective conditions.
If you have a chronic lung condition, you may stay sick longer if you catch a virus. Your symptoms can also be worse and make it harder for you to breathe, says Sydney Schacht, DO, a pulmonologist and critical care specialist with The Christ Hospital Physicians—Pulmonary Medicine.
“It’s definitely more common for patients with chronic lung disease to experience more respiratory distress,” she says. “Particularly during the winter months, doctors frequently identify and diagnose these individuals with varying viruses. Patients with these illnesses often need a higher level of care and more oxygen. Often, these problems can lead to hospitalizations.”
Chronic Lung Disease Increases Risk
A seasonal virus can infect anyone. But not everyone responds the same. If you have a chronic lung condition, you already have a lower level of lung function. So, you’re more likely to develop a severe response to an illness, Dr. Schacht says.
“A virus is less likely to have a serious impact on healthier lungs,” she says. “But if you become infected with a virus on top of already having inflamed airways, then you’re introducing new problems on top of your lung condition. It’s a cascade of effects that can aggravate your symptoms and make them worse.”
In fact, according to recent studies, respiratory viruses and infections are linked to more than 700,000 COPD-related hospitalizations every year and up to 85 percent of asthma flare-ups.
The Impact of Viruses on Chronic Lung Conditions
Overall, catching a respiratory virus makes symptoms of your chronic lung condition worse, Dr. Schacht says. Here’s what you can expect if you have COPD or asthma.
COPD
Lung inflammation is a baseline COPD symptom, she says. Getting a respiratory virus causes more inflammation, triggering an uptick in all other hallmark signs of COPD. If you get sick, you may experience more:
Asthma
Like COPD, asthma can cause increased lung inflammation. As a result, you’re more vulnerable to respiratory viruses if you have this condition.
“COPD and asthma are similar in that they can cause bronchospasms where your airways tighten and narrow, making it harder for you to breathe,” Dr. Schact says. “Any extra inflammation that you add to an airway that’s already clamping down will create more irritation and provoke an asthma attack.”
Steps to Protect Yourself from Respiratory Viruses
Preventing viral infection isn’t always possible. But you can still protect yourself and reduce your risk. If you have a chronic lung condition, take these steps to avoid respiratory viruses:
Avoid touching your eyes, face, mouth and nose with unwashed hands.
Don’t share CPAP masks, inhalers or nebulizers.
Clean and disinfect frequently used surfaces and objects like doorknobs, mobile devices and utensils.
Get seasonal vaccines for flu, COVID-19 and RSV (ages 6 months and up).
Get the pneumonia vaccine.
Limit contact with people who have cold-like symptoms.
Wash your hands (use soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer).
Wear a mask in large groups of people.
When to See Your Healthcare Provider
If symptoms of your chronic lung condition change or get worse, it’s important to contact your care provider, Dr. Schacht says.
“Anyone with a chronic lung disease should reach out to their physician for an appointment because acute exacerbations or symptoms that become more severe can be treated,” she says. “We can certainly do things from an outpatient perspective to prevent worsening disease in patients with chronic lung disease who are currently flaring from a virus and, hopefully, keep them out of the hospital.”
Your provider can test you for multiple viruses, depending on your symptoms. Based on your test results, they may recommend:
inhalers to open your airways and clear mucus
Paxlovid® to treat COVID-19
a steroid to reduce lung inflammation
Tamiflu® to treat early-stage flu infection
If your symptoms are severe enough, your provider may admit you to the hospital for more advanced care, such as oxygen support. Once you leave the hospital, you may need some level of short-term oxygen support while your lungs continue to recover.
Ultimately, Dr. Schacht says working closely with your provider can help protect you from seasonal respiratory viruses.
“If you know you have less controlled lung disease, it’s a good idea to check in with your provider before respiratory virus season gets underway,” she says. “Make sure you work with them to stay current with your inhalers and vaccines. It’s critical to have a good plan.”