Flu Impact: What It Does to Your Breathing, Meds, and Recovery
Getting the flu feels awful, but the hidden problems matter most: it can make breathing worse, change how your medicines work, and push you toward dehydration or complications. Here are clear, practical steps to handle those risks and keep you out of the emergency room.
Respiratory risks and inhaler problems
If you have asthma or COPD, the flu can tighten airways fast. You might need your rescue inhaler more often. With recent albuterol shortages, talk to your provider now about alternatives — a spacer, nebulized bronchodilator, or different inhaler options. If you notice worse wheeze, trouble speaking, or your rescue inhaler doesn’t help, seek urgent care.
For severe cough or shortness of breath, hospital staff can give breathing support and stronger meds. Don’t wait if your oxygen feels low, you’re dizzy, or lips/fingertips turn pale or blue.
Managing medications and dehydration
Fever, low appetite, or vomiting change how drugs act in your body. If you take blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin), infections and antibiotics can shift your INR. That raises bleeding risk or clot risk. Call your clinic for an INR check if you have the flu and are on warfarin.
Diabetes meds can also need attention: fever and poor eating can drop or raise blood sugar unpredictably. Check glucose more often and ask your clinician about short-term dose changes if you’re sick.
Dehydration is common with fever, sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea. Replace fluids with water and an oral rehydration solution or electrolyte drink. If you can’t keep fluids down, feel faint, or your urine is very dark, get medical help.
Antiviral drugs like oseltamivir work best within 48 hours of symptoms. If you’re high risk (age, chronic lung disease, heart disease, immune problems), call your doctor quickly to see if antivirals are right for you. Over-the-counter meds relieve symptoms but won’t shorten the illness.
Keep a simple medicine list with doses and bring it to every visit. That helps pharmacists and doctors check for interactions fast. Avoid mixing alcohol with meds while sick — alcohol worsens dehydration and can change drug effects.
Small steps help a lot: rest, fluids, basic monitoring (breathing, temperature, urine color), and clear communication with your provider. If symptoms spike or you’re in a high-risk group, don’t hesitate to seek care. Acting early makes the biggest difference in recovery.
, Mar, 13 2025
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