Swine flu has been around for a long time, but this new outbreak has medical officials taking extra precautions. And since flu viruses attack the respiratory system, people with asthma or other respiratory or immune-compromised conditions are at greater risk for flu and flu-related complications than otherwise healthy individuals. But we also have an advantage – we are more knowledgeable and experienced at taking care of our airways than the average person.

And we have tools we can use to protect ourselves from infection and minimize the impact of pandemic flu on our families, neighborhoods and businesses.

It all starts with gathering solid information about the swine flu threat, knowing what symptoms signal seasonal vs. swine flu, avoiding the spread of flu viruses and getting the vaccines your family needs to stay healthy.

Check your state and community health departments for daily updates and instructions about swine flu and what services are in place should you or your child develop symptoms. While we firmly expect Centers for Disease Control and other health experts to use all available resources to prevent a pandemic spread of swine flu, we all share in the responsibility.

Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics offers family-friendly, practical advice to keep healthy:

Pandemic Flu: A Guide for Families with Allergies and Asthma

Managing Pandemic Flu: What You CAN Do ^[1]

Family Matters: Flu Preparedness At Home ^[2]

For more of our favorite resources, click on Health Topics, Pandemic Flu

Related posts:

1. Family Matters: Pandemic Flu Preparedness at Home ^[3]
2. Flu Tips for People with Asthma ^[4]