Influenza and Respiratory Virus Season: Experts Urge Vaccination, Especially for Those with โChronic Conditions
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As we โhead into the fall โand winter months, health officials are bracing for aโข potentially aggressive โขinfluenza season, alongside the continued โฃcirculation of othreโ respiratory viruses. Experts are emphasizing the critical importance of vaccination,โข particularly for โคindividuals living with chronic respiratory โฃdiseases.
Protecting Vulnerable Populations: A Focus โคon Asthma and COPD
A strong recommendation is beingโ made for vaccination among those with chronic diseases, especially respiratory conditions like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary โคDisease (COPD).โข These individuals are particularly susceptible to severe complications from viral infections.
“The pneumological world has placed the prevention ofโ infectious โฃexacerbations atโ the center of the management of chronic respiratory diseases,” explains Claudio Micheletto, president of โAIPO-ITS/ETS, inโค a statement to Adnkronos. “These are not banal โbronchitis, but critical episodes thatโ lead to hospitalizations, worsening of symptoms and respiratory function, and increase the risk of mortality.”
For individuals withโข COPD, each exacerbation represents a decline in health. โthus, preventative measuresโ are paramount. International and โnational guidelines nowโค explicitly include influenza,pneumococcal,and respiratoryโข syncytial virus โฃ(RSV) vaccinations โฃas essential components ofโค respiratory disease management.
Vaccination: The Most Effective Defense
Micheletto stresses โthat vaccination remains the most effective way to โprotect oneself and โฃloved ones,โ especially the mostโ vulnerable, from serious complications arising from respiratory viruses. Preventing exacerbationsโค is key to maintaining respiratory health and quality of life.
“For a patient with COPD, every exacerbation is a step down, so prevention becomes fundamental.”
Claudio Micheletto, president of AIPO-ITS/ETS
Staying informed and taking proactive steps to protect your health is more critically important than ever. โข We encourage youโฃ toโ discuss vaccination options with your healthcare provider.
Have thoughts on this important topic? Share yourโ experiences and questions in the comments below! And if you found this โarticleโค helpful, โฃplease share it with โขyour network and consider subscribing โขto World Today โคNews for the latest health updates.
