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Swine-Flu - a threat for Asthmatics?

Un document

Zurich (ots)

- Indication: Health Tips from EAACI can be downloaded free of 
   charge as a pdf-file under: 
   http://www.presseportal.ch/de/pm/100018272/?langid=2 -
EAACI, the largest European organisation in the field of allergy, 
immunology and asthma, today hosted a specialist forum on "Swine-flu 
- a threat for asthmatics? What people with asthma should know" at 
its new premises on Genferstrasse 21 in Zurich. Dr. Thomas Heiniger, 
Cantonal Councillor and Head of the Department of Health of Zurich, 
extended a warm welcome to the EAACI's new Executive Director Silvia 
Schaller, along with a top- class international delegation from the 
field of immunology and asthma.
One out of three Europeans suffers from allergies or asthma. For a
person with asthma, a virus infection can be life-threatening. The 
swine-flu presents a similar risk. The potential complications are 
heavily dependent on the underlying health of the patient. Among 
those at risk from serious life-threatening symptoms and even death, 
are patients with pre-existing respiratory illnesses and also 
asthmatics. "One of the differences between the H1N1 swine-flu virus 
and the seasonal flu is that younger people become more frequently 
unwell than they do with the seasonal flu. Younger asthma patients 
should therefore take special care to keep their asthma under 
control", states Professor Nikos Papadopoulos from the University of 
Athens.
What asthmatics should know about swine-flu
People with asthma are advised to take special note of general 
preventive measures such as hand hygiene or a change in greeting 
habits, and also to take special care of their health. If flu 
symptoms are suspected - aching joints, high fever, coughing, and 
headaches - asthmatics should consult their doctors immediately. "If 
asthma gets out of control, there is a risk of severe and possibly 
even life-threatening attacks during a flu epidemic. Influenza is not
the most frequent cause of asthma attacks. However it can be an 
important trigger of such severe symptoms", says Professor 
Papadopoulos.
Does a flu vaccination make sense for asthmatics?
Severe asthmatics are a risk group and vaccination against 
swine-flu is recommended. It can be assumed that the vaccine is very 
similar to previous flu vaccines, and that vaccination would be the 
lesser evil for asthmatics. "Is a commonly held misbelief that flu 
vaccination causes illness in asthmatics", says Professor 
Papadopoulos. "This misbelief is due to the fact that vaccinations 
are normally given at times of year with high rates of flu-like 
illnesses from other viruses. When the symptoms then occur, they are 
falsely attributed to the vaccination."
Zurich - a new centre for allergology and immunology
EAACI, the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 
which is represented in 107 countries, has recently moved its 
headquarters to Zurich. From here, effectively at the heart of 
Europe, the European association wishes to promote scientific and 
educational projects in the field of allergy, immunology and asthma. 
"As the world's No. 1 location for science and technology, this is a 
further milestone for the Canton of Zurich", says Dr. Heiniger with 
pride. EAACI is making a big investment in the future. "We aim to 
provide the most efficient platform for scientific communication and 
education in the field of allergy and immunology, striving to 
ultimately ease patients' lives", says EAACI President Professor Jan 
Lötvall. EAACI has already made a name for itself by organising the 
largest annual European congress for allergologists and immunologists
and bringing together a broad range of specialists. The EAACI 2010 
Congress will take place from 5th to the 9th June in London. 
Approximately 8'000 participants from all over Europe are expected.
About EAACI:
EAACI - The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology is
a non-profit organisation active in the field of allergic and 
immunologic diseases such as asthma, rhinitis, eczema, occupational 
allergy, food and drug allergy and anaphylaxis. EAACI was founded in 
1956 in Florence and has become the largest medical association in 
Europe in the field of allergy and clinical immunology. It includes 
5'500 individual members from 107 countries, as well as 40 National 
Allergy Societies.

Contact:

EAACI
Headquarters Head of Communications
Panthea Sayah
Genferstrasse 21
8002 Zurich, Switzerland
Tel.: +41/44/205'55'33
Fax: +41/44/205'55'39
Mobile: +41/79/551'99'48
E-Mail: panthea.sayah@eaaci.net
Internet: www.eaaci.net