It's believed around 5.5 million people in the UK and Ireland are currently receiving treatment for asthma, and the charity Asthma UK says it's not uncommon for asthma symptoms to get worse over the festive season. Looking after your respiratory health is important at any time of the year - and especially so this winter, with the ongoing spread of Covid-19 to factor in too. Why does asthma get worse in winter? Asthma can be harder to control during winter months for a few reasons. Ruth Morrow, a respiratory nurse specialist from the Asthma Society of Ireland says people often find their unwelcome asthma symptoms flaring up at this time of year, because there are more triggers lurking around.