Asthma patients should also avoid outdoor physical activities or exertion to the extent possible when levels of air pollution are high. In patients with moderate or severe asthma, an annual influenza vaccination is recommended. In addition, a short course of oral corticosteroids can be introduced early or inhaled corticosteroids increased. After cold symptoms resolve, anti-inflammatory treatment should be continued for several weeks to ensure adequate control. Patients should be cautioned that symptoms of asthma can be exacerbated for several weeks beyond the resolution of the viral infection.
Exercise is a common asthma trigger, particularly among school age children.
Unlike other asthma triggers, physical activity should not be avoided. In fact, with the right medication plan, patients with asthma can participate in many physically demanding activities, including running. Proper warm-up prior to physical exertion and training can also reduce exacerbations. By identifying a patient's individual asthma triggers, exacerbations of asthma and its symptoms can be avoided. Therefore, optimal compliance requires continual patient education regarding the role of asthma triggers in symptomatology.