由於冬季流感,數百萬哮喘病患者發出致命發作的警告

More than four million Asthma patients at risk of a potentially deadly asthma attack if they come down with the winter flu, a charity has warned. Asthma UK urged all patients with the condition to do what they can to prevent colds and flu and to ensure their medications are fully stocked.

一個慈善機構警告稱，如果得了冬季流感，400多萬哮喘病人都有可能哮喘病發作（致命性的）。Asthma UK敦促所有的哮喘病人都應該儘可能的預防流感和感冒，確保藥物儲備充足。

The charity said a previous study found that 81% of sufferers say cold and flu viruses can make their condition worse. This could mean that as many as 4.3 million asthma patients across the UK are at heightened risk of an attack, the charity estimated.

該慈善機構表示，先前的一項研究發現：81%的哮喘患者表示感冒和流感病毒會惡化他們的症狀。這就意味着英國430萬名哮喘患者發作的風險尤高，慈善機構估計。

Dr Andy Whittamore, Asthma UK's clinical lead, said: "The flu outbreak this year is extremely concerning and needs to be taken seriously." As many as four in five people with asthma could be at an increased risk of life-threatening asthma attacks if they catch the virus.

Asthma UK的臨牀主管安迪·韋特莫爾醫生說："今年的流感疫情非常嚴重，需要我們嚴肅對待。"如果感染病毒，五分之四的哮喘患者可能會增加致命的哮喘病發作風險。

"The best way for people with asthma to stay safe this winter is to make sure they take their asthma medicines as prescribed." This ensures their airways are less sensitive, and will help them to resist the effects of the flu.

"今冬，保持哮喘患者安全的最佳方式就是確保他們按照規定服用哮喘藥。"這樣能確保他們的呼吸道不那麼敏感，有助於抵抗流感帶來的影響。

"Everyone with asthma should also make sure they are washing their hands regularly to prevent spreading viruses, and look after themselves by eating a varied, balanced diet, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep." This year has been particularly bad for flue with an outbreak of so-called Aussie flu affecting thousands.

"哮喘患者也應該確保自己經常洗手，以防止病毒傳播。他們可以吃一些多樣的、均衡的飲食、定期鍛鍊、獲得充足的睡眠來照顧自己。"今年的流感疫情尤爲嚴重，所謂的'澳洲流感'（Aussie flu）已感染了成千上萬人。

What is Aussie flu ?

什麼是澳洲流感？

Aussie flu is the nickname given to the H3N2 strain of the flu virus, after Australia was particularly affected by it in their last winter, bringing Australia's worst flu season of the last decade. Symptoms of Aussie flu are similar to those caused by normal flu, but they are more severe.

去年冬天，澳大利亞受H3N2的影響最爲嚴重，是澳大利亞過去十年來最爲嚴重的流感季，隨後，流感病毒株H3N2就被給以澳洲流感的綽號。澳洲流感的症狀與正常流感相似，但卻更爲嚴重。

Doctors have warned children - particularly those aged between five and 14 - could be most at risk. Public health officials are urging people who are eligible for the free flu vaccination should "get it without delay".

醫生已警告兒童的風險最高--尤其是那些5至14歲的兒童。公共衛生官員正敦促那些有資格接受免費流感疫苗接種的人"毫不拖延的接種疫苗"。