Hereditary angioedema (HAE) can be triggered by factors such as stress, medical procedures, and infections. Receiving antiviral treatments and reducing your risk of developing viral infections can help prevent an attack of HAE symptoms.

If you have hereditary angioedema (HAE), certain triggers may cause you to experience a flare or attack of symptoms. Infections are a common HAE trigger.

Some infections are caused by viruses. They may affect your respiratory system, your gastrointestinal system, your skin, or other parts of your body.

Here are some strategies you can use to lower your risk of contracting several types of viral infections.

COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus strain known as SARS-CoV-2. Since it was identified, it has affected millions of people around the world.

COVID-19 is a condition that mainly affects your lungs. But it can also affect other parts of your body, including your gastrointestinal system, circulatory system, and nervous system.

In 2020, HAE International reported that having HAE doesn’t appear to raise the risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2. More recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 can cause HAE attacks, but the episodes are similar in severity to typical attacks and can be treated successfully.

A 2021 study found that people with HAE with C1 inhibitor (C1INH) deficiency who were not taking HAE medication were at more risk of developing COVID-19 but did not have an increased risk of complications.

If you do contract the SARS-CoV-2 virus, having HAE doesn’t appear to increase your risk of developing a severe infection or complications from COVID-19.

To avoid exposure to the virus, you can follow these recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

  • Keep up to date with COVID-19 vaccines: While people who have been vaccinated can still develop COVID-19, continuing to get the most recent COVID-19 vaccines can lower your risk of getting sick.
  • Wash your hands often: Use soap and water or, if that’s not an option, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze.
  • Incorporate clean air into your home: Open windows and doors or use exhaust fans, change your HVAC filter regularly, use a portable high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaner, and move activities outdoors if possible.

The CDC also encourages wearing a face mask to further protect yourself and others from respiratory conditions such as COVID-19 when spending time in public places or with members of other households. A face mask should cover your nose and mouth.

Stress can also trigger an attack of HAE symptoms. If you’re finding it difficult to manage emotional or social concerns in your life, let your doctor know. They may provide tips to help you limit or relieve stress. They may also refer you to a mental health specialist who can help you develop strategies to feel better.

Viral respiratory infections affect your respiratory system, including your lungs, throat, and nose.

Symptoms may vary from one infection to another. Potential symptoms include:

  • cough
  • wheezing
  • sore throat
  • runny nose
  • headache
  • fever

Influenza (also known as the flu) is a common type of viral respiratory infection. Other examples are the common cold, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and adenovirus.

Here are some ways you can lower your risk of developing the flu and other viral respiratory infections:

  • Get the flu vaccine every year.
  • Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
  • Limit the time you spend around people who have symptoms of a respiratory infection.
  • Wear a mask when in crowds or near people who are ill.

Your doctor may also encourage you to get vaccinated against bacterial infections that cause respiratory symptoms. For example, you may want to ask your doctor whether you should get the whooping cough vaccine, pneumococcal vaccine, or RSV vaccine.

Viral gastrointestinal infections are sometimes known as the stomach flu. They affect your stomach, your intestines, or other parts of your gastrointestinal system.

Common symptoms of viral gastrointestinal infections include:

  • stomach cramps
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • fever (in some cases)

Here are some ways you can reduce your risk of developing a gastrointestinal infection:

  • Wash your hands frequently, especially before you cook or eat food and after you use the bathroom, handle human or animal waste, or touch raw meat.
  • Avoid sharing towels or other personal care items with other people.
  • Avoid sharing drinking glasses, water bottles, or eating utensils with other people.
  • Avoid close contact with anyone who has symptoms of a gastrointestinal infection.

Certain types of bacteria can also cause gastrointestinal infections such as food poisoning.

To limit your risk of developing food poisoning, avoid eating undercooked fish, poultry, meat, or eggs. It’s also important to store uncooked animal products separately from raw produce and prepared foods.

Some viral infections affect your skin. Examples include measles, chickenpox, herpes, and warts.

Viral skin infections may cause a variety of symptoms, such as redness or other skin color changes, blisters, sores, rash, pain, itching, and (sometimes) fever.

Here are some ways you can help prevent viral skin infections:

  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Clean and cover any scrapes, cuts, or wounds on your skin.
  • Wear sandals or other shoes around pools, shared showers, and locker rooms rather than going barefoot.
  • Disinfect shared exercise equipment and athletic gear before you use it. Also, use clothing or a clean towel to create a barrier between your skin and shared equipment.
  • Avoid sharing washcloths, towels, razors, deodorant, body cream, or other personal care products with other people.
  • Wear gloves when handling other people’s dirty laundry, and wash soiled clothing, towels, and linens in hot water with detergent or bleach.
  • Avoid close contact with anyone who has symptoms of a skin infection.

Some skin infections can be passed from one person to another during sexual contact. Get routine screenings for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and ask any partners you have to do the same. Using condoms or another barrier method can help prevent STIs.

Viral infections often resolve without treatment.

However, antiviral treatments can help reduce the length or severity of some types of viral infections. Some medications can also treat symptoms or potential complications.

If you suspect that you have a viral infection, contact your doctor. They can identify the cause of your symptoms and recommend a treatment plan.

It’s also important to take your HAE medication as prescribed. Taking your HAE medication may help prevent a flare of symptoms if you develop an infection.

Viral infections may affect your respiratory system, your gastrointestinal system, or other parts of your body. They may also trigger an attack of HAE symptoms.

To reduce your risk of contracting a virus, wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water. If that’s not an option, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

It’s also important to avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of viral infections, avoid sharing personal care items or eating utensils, and practice good overall hygiene.

Following your doctor’s recommended treatment plan for HAE can help reduce your risk of experiencing a flare if you develop a viral infection.