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Update – July 25, 2021

We updated this blog post to include updated information and guidance from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Note: Because this is a constantly changing situation, any data in this blog post may not represent the most up-to-date information. We will update this blog when possible.


In December 2019, a new coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2 started spreading and triggered a pandemic (worldwide outbreak). This coronavirus causes an illness known as COVID-19.

The coronavirus spreads through close contact from person to person. A person with the virus can spread it to others by talking, coughing, sneezing, singing, or breathing. The virus will be in large or small droplets that are exhaled from the mouth or nose out into the air.

If you are within 6 feet (2 meters) of someone who is ill with COVID-19, you may be at greatest risk for becoming infected. But it may be possible to catch the virus even if you are more than 6 feet away from an infected person because very small droplets can spread in the air. If someone who is sick coughs on or near your face, you may get infected. People may be infected with the coronavirus and not show any symptoms. They may spread the virus without knowing it. The virus may also spread through direct contact with a person who has COVID-19.

What Are the Symptoms of COVID-19?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 symptoms can include:

  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • Feeling tired and weak
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

If you or someone you know has these emergency warning signs, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately:

  • Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
  • Pain or pressure in the chest that doesn’t go away
  • Newly confused
  • Can’t wake up or stay awake
  • Cyanosis which is tissue color changes on mucus membranes (like tongue, lips, and around the eyes) and fingertips or nail beds – the color appears grayish or whitish on darker skin tones and bluish on lighter skin tones

According to the CDC, this list may not include all symptoms. If you have any symptoms that are severe or concerning, call your doctor.

The CDC warns that symptoms may appear two to 14 days after coming in contact with the virus.

How Can I Tell the Difference Between Asthma, COVID-19, the Flu, a Cold, or Seasonal Allergies?

Some symptoms are similar between these respiratory illnesses. Respiratory illnesses may worsen asthma, so it’s important to keep taking your asthma medicines. If you have a fever and a cough, call your doctor. If you have seasonal allergies, there are things you can do to treat them at home. If your allergy symptoms are hard to control, make an appointment with an allergist.

This chart can help you figure out if you may be feeling symptoms of asthma, allergies, or a respiratory illness like COVID-19, the flu, or a cold:



Are People With Asthma at Risk of Severe Illness From COVID-19?

Many studies show that having asthma does not put you at a greater risk of getting COVID-19 or having severe COVID-19.1,2,3 A study published in “The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice” (JACI: In Practice) found that people with well-controlled asthma have less severe COVID-19 outcomes than people with uncontrolled asthma.4

The CDC continues to list moderate-to-severe asthma as a chronic lung disease that can make you more likely to have severe illness from COVID-19.

No matter what, it is important to keep your asthma well-controlled. If your asthma is not under control, you are at a greater risk in general of having an asthma episode or attack, going to the emergency room, staying in the hospital, or even death. If you feel like your asthma is not well-controlled, talk with your doctor as soon as possible.

Even though people with asthma are not at the highest risk for COVID-19, it is still important to keep your asthma under control. Common medicines you may take for asthma and allergies do not increase your risk of getting COVID-19. They will help you keep your asthma under control. You are at greater risk for having an asthma attack if you stop taking your medicines. Take your medicines at the first sign of symptoms as listed on your asthma action plan. Continue to take these medicines as prescribed:

  • Quick-relief medicine (such as albuterol)
  • Inhaled corticosteroids (controller medicines)
  • Oral corticosteroids (such as prednisone)
  • Biologics
  • Antihistamines (allergy medicine)
  • Proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux
  • Nasal allergy sprays
  • Allergy shots

If you have any questions about asthma medicines and COVID-19, talk with your doctor.

If you need to take quick-relief medicine (such as albuterol) for an asthma episode, use an inhaler (with a spacer if directed by your doctor) if possible. Using a nebulizer can increase the risk of sending virus particles in the air if you are sick. But if you have a nebulizer and solution, it is OK to use it to treat an asthma episode. When using a nebulizer, limit the number of people in the room or use it in a room by yourself.

How Can I Avoid Getting COVID-19 (And Other Respiratory Infections)?

The following steps will help you avoid COVID-19, the flu, and other respiratory infections:

1. Get your vaccines.

Vaccines can help protect you, your loved ones, older adults near you, teachers, and essential workers from getting a respiratory infection. They can also cut down your symptom severity if you do get sick. Vaccines reduce the burden on our health care system by reducing the number of people who get COVID-19 or the flu.

Everyone who is 6 months and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine for free with no out-of-pocket costs in the United States. There are currently four vaccines available: Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson (J&J), and Novavax.

Visit vaccines.gov to find out where you can get the COVID-19 vaccine near you. Most people can get the COVID-19 vaccine with no issues. Allergic and adverse reactions are rare.

The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older with rare exceptions.

It is safe to get both the COVID-19 vaccine and the flu vaccine at the same time.


2. Wear a mask.

Face masks can help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. They can benefit people who are vaccinated and unvaccinated alike. Some people may have COVID-19 and not show symptoms for a few days, while some may not have any symptoms at all. And some vaccinated people have gotten breakthrough infections, which have usually been mild.

Wear a mask that fits snugly on your face, and covers your nose, mouth, and beard completely. Wear a mask when you leave your home, if you are caring for someone at home who is sick, and if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. People with asthma should be able to wear face masks.

Face masks offer other benefits as well. They can reduce your exposure to pollen, air pollution, and other respiratory infections like the flu.


3. Keep a physical distance from people outside your household.

In general, the more closely you interact with other people and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of coronavirus or flu spread. Try to stay home when possible when these illnesses are spreading in your community. Avoid large crowds of people, especially in indoor locations. When in public, keep at least 6 feet apart. Stay away from people who are sick or have been in contact with someone who is sick. Even when you’re at home with family, don’t share makeup, food, dishes, or eating utensils.

Postpone any unnecessary travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. See the CDC’s guidelines on how to protect yourself at specific locations and in certain situations, such as shops, public places, gatherings, and more.

4. Wash your hands properly and often.

Use soap and warm water to wash your hands for 20 to 30 seconds. Always wash your hands before and after eating and after coughing or sneezing. Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

If you don’t have access to running water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60% ethyl alcohol (ethanol) or 70% isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol).


5. Make sure your indoor spaces are well-ventilated and have good indoor air quality.

If you are staying indoors more because of COVID-19, be mindful of the quality of your indoor air. The air inside our homes can often be more polluted than the air outside. Unhealthy indoor air can be full of asthma triggers and allergens that can cause symptoms and make your asthma harder to control. Take steps to improve and maintain healthy indoor air quality.

Air circulation is important too. Keep your indoor spaces well-ventilated by opening windows or doors, using fans, running air cleaners, or using proper air filters in your HVAC system.

Current evidence shows the risk of the coronavirus spreading is much lower outdoors than indoors. Good ventilation in your indoor environment may help reduce the spread of the coronavirus. It may also affect the risk of transmission (how fast it spreads).

On days when pollen is low and air quality is good, open your windows to let in fresh air. Run your HVAC system as much as possible (especially when windows are closed). Use high efficiency air filters in your HVAC system and replace them at least every three months.


6. Take care of your health.

Take your asthma control medicines as directed to keep your airways open. Eat well and get enough sleep.

Pollen (such as grass or ragweed pollen) may impact people across the U.S. too. Seasonal allergies can affect people with allergic asthma. If pollen allergies trigger asthma symptoms for you, be sure to follow your allergy treatment plan to keep your allergies under control to prevent asthma episodes or attacks.

If you stopped seeing your allergist or getting allergy shots (immunotherapy) during the COVID-19 pandemic, consider making an appointment soon. Keeping up with your regular allergist visits is an important part of keeping your asthma controlled.

The most important thing you can do is to keep your asthma under control. If your asthma is not under control, call your doctor right away.

In general, tracking your symptoms and following your asthma action plan are key to managing your asthma. Some people use peak flow meters to monitor their airways. Monitoring your blood oxygen levels with a pulse oximeter (or “pulse ox”) is not a recommended part of home management of asthma. Many pulse oximeters you can buy for home use are not as accurate as medical grade devices.

It is important to remember that the symptoms you feel should always come before pulse ox and peak flow numbers. But if your peak flow numbers are down and you don’t have symptoms, follow your asthma action plan and contact your doctor.

There are no data demonstrating that monitoring your pulse ox through an oximeter or smartphone app will help manage your asthma. As always, talk with your doctor about the best ways to monitor your symptoms and asthma control.6

If I Think I Have COVID-19, What Should I Do?

If you start having symptoms of COVID-19, get tested or take an at-home test. If you have mild symptoms and are not at high risk for having more severe COVID-19, you do not need to call your doctor. Call your local health department within 24 hours to let them know so they accurately report local cases.

If you are at high risk for severe COVID-19, call your doctor within 24 hours if you test positive. They may want to you to take the medicine Paxlovid.

Many pharmacies have various testing options (including at-home or drive-thru tests). The United States Postal Services is providing free at-home COVID-19 tests. U.S. households can get eight rapid antigen COVID-19 tests for free. To receive them, you’ll need to complete an online form. Please note: You will not need to enter any credit or debit card details to place the order.

Some doctors may offer telehealth (video or virtual appointments). If that is an option, ask your insurance company if telehealth is covered under your plan. And if you have Medicare, you might be able to have a virtual visit with your doctor. The government expanded the coverage of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stay home and isolate from family members so you don’t spread the coronavirus to other people.

Medical Review, July 2022 by Mitchell Grayson, MD

How do you stay healthy and avoid asthma symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic? Join our community to stay up to date on protecting yourself from COVID-19.

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References
1. Chhiba, K.D., Patel, G.B., Vu, T.H.T, Chen, M.M., Guo, A., Kudlaty, E., Mai, Q., Yeh, C., Muhammad, L.N., Harris, K.E., Bochner, B.S., Grammar, L.C., Greenberger, P.A., Kalhan, R., Kuang, F.L., Saltoun, C.A., Schleimer, R.P., Stevens, W.W., & Peters, A.T. (2020). Prevalence and characterization of asthma in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients with COVID-19, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2020.06.010.
2. Butler, M. W., O’Reilly, A., Dunican, E. M., Mallon, P., Feeney, E. R., Keane, M. P., & McCarthy, C. (2020). Prevalence of comorbid asthma in COVID-19 patients. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2020.04.061
3. Lieberman-Cribbin, W., Rapp, J., Alpert, N., Tuminello, S., & Taioli, E. (2020). The Impact of Asthma on Mortality in Patients With COVID-19. Chest. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2020.0air pol.575
4. Huang, B. Z., Chen, Z., Sidell, M. A., Eckel, S. P., Martinez, M. P., Lurmann, F., Thomas, D. C., Gilliland, F. D., & Xiang, A. H. (2021). Asthma disease Status, COPD, and COVID-19 severity in a large Multiethnic POPULATION. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaip.2021.07.030
5. Kampf, G., Todt, D., Pfaender, S., & Steinmann, E. (2020). Persistence of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents. Journal of Hospital Infection, 104(3), 246–251. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022
6. Heneghan, C. (2018, January 30). Self-management of asthma – is there an app or pulse oximeter for that? Retrieved from https://blogs.bmj.com/bmjebmsp...-app-pulse-oximeter/

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Comments (131)

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We need a practical article that will be radically honest and realistic about how to survive this as immune-compromised people. What concrete steps should we take WHEN (not “if”) this virus spreads to our community? For example, I am doing the following: procuring an N95 mask to use in public when the virus becomes pervasive; filling all prescriptions I may need if I get sick (inhalers, prednisone, etc.); getting the pneumonia vaccine to prevent the secondary infection if I can; stocking  up on goods in case I need to quarantine myself from the outside world for either protection or illness; meeting with my doctors for input; and starting an elimination diet to reduce the load on my immune system PLUS getting good sleep and exercise and increasing nutrient-dense foods. LET’S GET SPECIFIC PLEASE.

C

That article that supposedly shows that people with asthma are at low risk had NO people with asthma in it!  They presume that since asthma rates in Wuhan are low, that people with asthma aren't at risk. How did that get past empirical review?

D
I Am Curious posted:

Thank you for the updates! Super helpful!

I just wanted to point out that the one study that found no to link to increased risk of complications in persons with asthma also didn't  study anyone with asthma. Ie none of the 140 had (or knew they had) asthma. I think that's an important detail. The wording of the study itself,  concerning asthma and allergic diseases, is misleading until you read the whole thing. Two patients had COPD and they both had grim outcomes. Take what you want from that, but, because of the lack of asthma specific information published, I'm thinking either not a lot of asthma patients have gotten it (doubtful considering air quality in some places), or there just hasn't been enough time to compile info. It's hard to be patient since it's very clear that healthcare workers and researchers are likely overwhelmed in the areas hardest hit, but we have to try. Get enough sleep, stay hydrated, eat nutrient rich foods, take supplements, stay active and avoid large crowds. Most importantly, get or keep your asthma under control and wash your hands. 

Thank you again for getting this information for us. Please continue to keep us posted with allergy and asthma specific information.

Absolutely agree with you on this.  That study is not particularly helpful and I’m unclear ho they came to the conclusion they did without the direct study of asthmatics.  It’s hard not to panic.

MikeD

Thank you for the updates! Super helpful!

I just wanted to point out that the one study that found no to link to increased risk of complications in persons with asthma also didn't  study anyone with asthma. Ie none of the 140 had (or knew they had) asthma. I think that's an important detail. The wording of the study itself,  concerning asthma and allergic diseases, is misleading until you read the whole thing. Two patients had COPD and they both had grim outcomes. Take what you want from that, but, because of the lack of asthma specific information published, I'm thinking either not a lot of asthma patients have gotten it (doubtful considering air quality in some places), or there just hasn't been enough time to compile info. It's hard to be patient since it's very clear that healthcare workers and researchers are likely overwhelmed in the areas hardest hit, but we have to try. Get enough sleep, stay hydrated, eat nutrient rich foods, take supplements, stay active and avoid large crowds. Most importantly, get or keep your asthma under control and wash your hands. 

Thank you again for getting this information for us. Please continue to keep us posted with allergy and asthma specific information.

IA

The title of your article is misleading; there is no information in your article specific to people suffering from asthma. Contracting coronavirus and having asthma as an underlying condition has been highly publicized as leading to critical health issues or fatalities. Your article offers nothing specific to asthma. You should consider changing the article title to: Coronavirus: What You Need to Know, since the content is general information for the public, until you actually have content for an article pertaining to coronavirus with asthma as a comorbidity. Very disappointed.

C

I just read an article today that stated do not take steroids for the corona virus.  It makes it worse.
1. is this true?

2. nebulizers and rescue inhalers are essentially steroidal.  Does this also apply to them?  
3. should we try to avoid using this if we contract the virus?  

E
Lorene posted:
Shea posted:

I just think that N95 masks can be helpful. They found the size of the corona virus and those masks block that size particle and yes it needs a tight seal but that is perfectly possible to teach people what that is. It can help. And high-risk population should know this and have time to irder and waut fir one before it gets widespread. And its possible to make enough for everyone including healthcare workers. And it doesnt need to be mandated fir everyobe, it usnt 100 percent, but it can help...   I feel it is deceptive and inappropriate and lowers trust for the CDC and WHO and surgeon general to tell the public it wont help them. Yes you have to remove it correctly. Yes you have to get the right size and not have a beard probably. Just give us the real facts and information that yes it can be helpful:

"N95 masks fulfill the filtering efficiency criteria of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and are approved for protection against droplet and airborne transmission of 95% of particles greater than 0.3 microns in size. N95 masks, which must be fit tested, are believed to offer protection against the contact and droplet spread of the coronavirus."

https://www.apsf.org/news-upda...oronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/w...QFKAGwASA%253D#ampf=

https://smartairfilters.com/en...s-n95-surgical-mask/

 

Hi @Shea N95 masks may provide a layer of protection, but they may be hard to breathe through when you have asthma or an infection. They can also be hot, and often masks lead to people touching their face more in an effort to make the mask most comfortable. Wearing a mask can't hurt, but hand washing and sanitizing are going to be our best bet for protection. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. 

Lorene 

Shea - I agree with you. I live in NYC and travel to work on the subway and wearing a n95 mask would greatly decrease my chances of contracting the virus where I am in close proximity to strangers. I do understand that the CDC and WHO are trying to quell the general population from buying/wearing masks when basic hygiene would be more helpful in the long term but they are not protecting those the with the 'underlying health conditions' that they continually mention. This is a situation where you must take your own health and well-being in your own hands. I have n95 masks and carry one in my bag daily and will not hesitate to use it when I feel unsafe.  The CDC's guidelines are too broad and general and do not speak to me, an asthmatic specifically and how can they when the response about specific conditions are - not enough data! 

M

I am struck by how “experts” keep reassuring the general public that there is no alarm if you’re healthy and then in passing mention the elderly and those with underlying issues are at higher risk -  like we don’t need reassurance.  Very little time is spent on these groups when talking about Coronavirus.  There are countless people that fall into these categories - lung disease, heart disease, cancers, etc. It is hard not to panic or have anxiety with the 24/7 coverage.  So i wash my hands constantly and worry about someone coughing or sneezing around me- not much you can do to protect from that other than significant social distancing and isolation.

MikeD

Thank you. Still a bit of a struggle, but I am able to rest because my wife is taking up my slack, bless her heart. I do not think I've turned the corner because, after improving  earlier in the week, I began to get more ill again as the week has evolved. I understand that this happens with his virus, so I'm just going to take as long as I need to recover.

W

hello , i have excerice enducted asthma and i never get asthma atacks beside when i run or do a lot of sports , did not have any atacks since like 7 months im i still going to die if contact covid 19 ? or is it only for people that have uncontrolled asthma  , last time i did the flow test i scored 250 

karim

This is going to be the "unpopular" opinion, but it is one more should consider. You will not eliminate disease with a paper mask. You cannot prevent a future asthma attack by stockpiling medication. The virus takes about two weeks to become apparent and it will definitely have killed you within the month if it is going to be your cause of death. Do what you've always done, but do it better. Be clean. Be aware of your condition. Be considerate of those around you. Most of all, be rational. Don't risk the health of your friends, family, or community to have 2 months worth of supplies and leave them with none. More people being able to take precautions means less people spreading germs.

E
Last edited by Ender
Candace posted:
Ellie89 posted:

I too am desperately looking for hints on what to do in the Covid-19 situation as someone with Asthma.

From what I understand, I am not more likely to contract the virus, but it is likely that it will affect me more strongly once I do. Given the fact that at this point, we're mostly talking about "when" we will all be infected, rather than "if" - shouldn't it be the logical next step to quarantine everyone who's part of the higher risk demographic?

I have a job that I could potentially do from home, however my bosses are rather reluctant to allow it. As of now, every article and every website contains slightly different information - again, even though the common ground already seems to be that the absolute majority of people will in fact be infected. As long as there is not one unified opinion on this, or even an official statement recommending people that are at a higher risk to stay home, what do I tell my bosses? Or do I just continue to get on public transport and walk around the office, all while hoping for the best? I just can't believe there's no better way to deal with this.

Thanks in advance for your replies

My husband has adult-onset asthma and controls it with daily medication, however, I am still concerned what would happen to him if he contracted coronavirus, since I've seen him battle numerous sinus infections and suffer considerably. He is a college instructor and is exposed to many people on a daily basis. I do not have asthma, but also want to avoid becoming ill so I don't infect him, so we are both on a daily vitamin regimen of immune-boosting vitamins, including D3, C, fish oil, B2, B12, and a multivitamin that includes recommended daily doses of other immune-boosting vitamins. I have taken all of these vitamins regularly, but my husband hasn't until the past week. We also eat mostly plant-based foods and avoid processed foods and excess sugar. I also asked my husband to start exercising regularly. We exercise together for motivation. I know that 100% grape juice (3 8oz. glasses/day) also boosts immunity. I learned about it when researching how to increase immunity several years ago when I was also teaching. Taking the vitamins and grape juice and exercising at least 3 days/week enabled me to avoid becoming ill when I previously contracted an illness every quarter I taught. I have never heard anyone at the CDC or WHO recommend vitamins to boost immunity, recommend maintaining regular cardiovascular exercise, or recommend a healthy diet, but based on recommendations from our family physician and reading other physicians' advice, I feel that all of these are imporant to include into our regular regimen to avoid becoming ill in the first place. I want us to do everything in our power to stay healthy. BTW - I have not yet heard that the majority of people living in the U.S. will become infected, so I hope that is not an absolute. All the best!

Hi! thanks for sharing your tips on how your and husband stay healthy. Just a precaution, people should always check with their health care provider before starting any supplements or even vitamins to make sure they will not interfere with current medications. Eating a healthy diet and exercising are great strategies to staying healthy throughout the year. Again, talking to a health care provider to ensure diet and exercise are safe is recommended. Grape juice contains a lot of sugar, so anyone with diabetes or other conditions should OK this with their doctor. ~ Lorene 

Lorene

Thank you all for submitting your questions! We are working on updating our blog above with updated numbers and recommendations. We have also sent a list of questions to our Medical Scientific Council and will share the information as soon as we hear back from the council.

Stay safe and keep washing your hands!

Melanie Carver

I’m not sure the flu comparison is terribly helpful here. There is a flu vaccine which at least keeps some types of flu at bay, if not all. Despite the fact that we are generally familiar with coronaviruses, there is much we still don’t know about this one. For example, there seem to be indicators that people are spreading the virus while asymptomatic, but no one is sure how. If this is indeed the case, then that makes infection control much more difficult. 

I’m worried about my baby. She’s 15 months old, which means her immune system is weaker than an adult’s and her lungs are still developing. She was diagnosed with asthma after two hospitalizations for Rhino/Entero-induced bronchiolitis and a previous bout of RSV-induced bronchiolitis and flu. Fortunately we live in a quite isolated wilderness area but we are scheduled for medical appointments next week and for the foreseeable future to learn more about her asthma and also to see a speech pathologist, since all of this sickness seems to have set her back linguistically. Also, her dad works for a large company in an urban area, and if the above asymptomatic transmission is indeed true, he could bring it home without knowing it. We are of course worried about flu as well, but she has at least had her flu shot and so have we. We are following infection control protocol but I think it’s a pipe dream to think this thing won’t reach our state (New York).

The yardsale at the federal level is not helping. I have no faith in their capability to confront this. I hope our state health department is better.

G

I can't find any information anywhere about patients with asthma (specifically) and COVID-19 mortality rates. I am a relatively healthy individual with mild but persistent allergy triggered asthma. My singulair seems to keep it under control. I've had the flu twice this season (different strains) with no complications. But, I am curious, so these are my questions:

 

  1. I've heard that the jury is still out on what exactly causes respiratory complications from viruses in people with asthma. Some say it's an overproduction of mucus that can become infected and/or cause an increased inflammatory response. Others say that inhaled steriods do little to one's general immune system, but could leave the lungs more vulnerable to pathogens. Both seem plausible to me, but I'm no doctor. What's your take, @AAFA Community Services ? (please no stock response like "always wash your hands" ... I'm already there, haha)
  2. Those at elevated risk include people with chronic respiratory diseases like asthma. I also know that, at least in Wuhan, COVID-19 killed significantly more men than women. Culturally in Wuhan, men smoke significantly more than women, though some doctors believe biological differences may be to blame. I know that published recommendations are general in nature on purpose because you can never be too safe, but do you have any statistics about how many cases included asthma patients and what those outcomes were? There are a million different respiratory diseases but us asthmatics are concerned specifically about asthma. 
IA

I find I can do best in lightweight cloth masks like the 3 ply ones at Old Navy, with a mask brace underneath it to hold it off the face some, a stick-on metal nosepiece so it doesn't leak/fog glasses (they come in packs of 100 on Amazon for cheap), and avoid strenuous activity while wearing it, I usually only wear it inside and 6 foot distance both in and outside, AND if its for long periods, I found these fan necklaces that are quiet but blow air up on you to help reduce the heat/humidity caused by the mask-- I find the heat/humidity is what bothers my asthma most and those things all help. Also -- glasses defogger wipes or the special coating on your glasses are helpful if you wear them. The main thing is to stay calm and keep breathing steady, and not be too active. Mask breaks are helpful, outside 6 feet from others. N95s are a quite a bit more difficult for me for longer periods but if others arent masking around me or its a high risk environment, I use them short term until I get out of that environment.

So yeah.. Fan necklace:

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.c...wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

S
@Maja posted:

Hi i am from Europe. And i have asthma for many years. I am very scared now because COVID19. I follow all instructions. I haven't been out of the apartment already 2 months. I live with my parents who are retired. Only my father went out for food once a week and always wore a mask. I have had a low temperature 37.2 for 14 days. It changes during the day. In the morning I don't have and in the evening increases to 37.2 when I fall asleep it is normal. I don't have other symptoms. What is happening to me?

Hi @Maja - it sounds like you're doing everything right. I'm sorry you have a fever. Calling your doctor and asking what you should do is recommended. 

Many of us are scared as well - sending hugs! Please let us know what your doctor says and keep us posted on how you are feeling. 

Lorene 

Lorene

Hi Karim, I have cold induced, which can also be induced by a sharp change in temperature by 35 degrees in less than 24 hours,and I don't think ive gotten more than a 200 on my flow. I also haven't had to use my nebulizer in just over a year and spent most of my morning winters in the ER. My mothers friend is one of the head nurses for the covid situation here in New Jersey, I explained how I felt weeks ago to her the other day, she confirmed that I may have in fact had it. I did not however contract pneumonia, nor was it all that bad. I took my inhaler and I was fine, tbh if i did have it, it was underwelming. Plus the death rate for not just us but anyone who has been infected across every state is 3%. Thats just higher than the number of car accidents you may see in a week at this point. Take some light asthmatic precautions and you'll be fine(as long as you are under 60).

B
Melissa G posted:

Savail, here is a free online asthma care course. It goes over asthma triggers, symptoms and medications. 

Melissa G posted:

Hi Islandgirl, welcome to the AAFA forums! That is a great question, have you consulted with your dr about your concern?

You can also submit your question to our "Ask The Allergist". 

Savail, you are correct, there is conflicting information on wearing masks. This is the latest recommendation from the CDC for people with asthma. Have you ever seen an allergist or pulmonologist? 

Hello..yes..I am now on maintenance and was told that it is "building" my immune system. 

I

Miss Melissa, no, I have not unless it was when I was a young child. I know I was diagnosed with sinus problems around threeish and that on more than one occasion, they told my mother I would always have breathing problems without some kind of surgery. I was 'prescribed' a variety of different generic OTC allergy/sinus meds from childhood all the way through high school. I didn't have issues with activity or sports at the time, and according to doctors had adjusted well, so really, the only tell was that I constantly had bags under my eyes from a young age and struggled to eat with my mouth closed.

When I started having wheezing fits in high school, we just assumed it was sinus/bronchitis related, and I dealt with it, because we didn't realize there was anything that could be done. Menthol cough drops were my best friend if I had to do any activity, and I tried to stay indoors if people were burning cedar. When I was older, if I was having trouble breathing around bedtime, I'd drink an energy drink for the one-two combo of it putting me to sleep and making it a bit easier to breathe.

And yes, I've been keeping an eye on both the CDC page that you linked and the FAQ page about cloth coverings, which just states not to if you have "breathing problems." Very helpfully vague. I appreciate your response!

savail

I have been on a weekly allergy immunotherapy since SEP2019, does that affect my immune system or does it suppress my immune system in any way that would make me susceptible to corona virus more than someone who has regular seasonal allergies?

I

Kathy P posted:

Hi Zachary and welcome.

Thank you for reiterating that asthma medicines are not protective in any way against the novel coronavirus that causes COVD-19. It is important for anyone with asthma to continue to take their medicine as directed to keep their asthma well controlled.

 

Hello, I suggest you read this:  Japan study shows inhaled corticosteroids is effective at inhibiting SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) viral reproduction.  They are NOT effective against MERS, influenza, and other retroviruses.

https://www.biorxiv.org/conten...11.987016v1.full.pdf

Japan and Korea are doing trials of Alvesco inhaler for treatment of mild COVID-19 respiratory issues.

https://geneonline.news/en/202...o-to-fight-covid-19/

 

M

Hi Zachary and welcome.

Thank you for reiterating that asthma medicines are not protective in any way against the novel coronavirus that causes COVD-19. It is important for anyone with asthma to continue to take their medicine as directed to keep their asthma well controlled.

We do recommend that inhalers be used at this time if possible, but some people may need to use a nebulizer for their medicine. We asked this question of our medical advisor and it is included in the blog:

If I use a nebulizer at home, could it spread the coronavirus through the air (even if I don't know if I have it)? (New)

If you need to take quick-relief medicine (such as albuterol) for an asthma episode, use an inhaler if possible. Using a nebulizer can increase the risk of sending virus particles in the air if you are sick. But if you have a nebulizer and solution, it is OK to use it to treat an asthma episode. When using a nebulizer, limit the number of people in the room or use it in a room by yourself.

The biggest risk to people with asthma is not treating asthma symptoms when needed at home. This can lead to visits to overcrowded emergency rooms with no hospital beds. Uncontrolled asthma is a much higher risk to your health than COVID-19.
Kathy P
Collin S Magnuson posted:

Albuterol inhalers, nebulizers and other asthma treatments may significantly strengthen the lungs and help symptoms of Coronavirus and fight off the infection faster. Even people without asthma could use asthma treatments to fight corona virus.

You are going to get people killed! Do not use a nebulizer. The only time you should use it is if you have asthma and you live alone. 1. It does not "fight it off" 2. A nebulizer makes the virus into an aerosol that now has extraordinarily bigger infecton radius. If you are not a pulmonologist do not give advice you will hurt people

Z

More testing and measurements is needed as soon as possible. Some of us have severe "shortness of breath" inside public facilities like urgent care and Costco if we touch Clorox disinfecting wipes without gloves.

Who is measuring VOC levels in NY VS CA. Look at COVID-19 Deaths in CA Vs NYC? 

#Cleanairmatters

#MeasureVOCS/QACS

Tom Martin III
Lara posted:

It really bothers me that these tables always say there are no aches and pains for allergy sufferers.  There are for some of us!

what bothers me also is that and that this chart said that we do not get shortness of breath with seasonal allergies and that is just not truth! I have been in an asthma group for ten years and I know several of the people and they all get shortness of breathe like I do with seasonal allergies.

 

T

Hi @Collin S Magnuson, asthma medicines reduce swelling inside the airways, relax muscles that tighten around the airway and reduce excess mucus that clogs the airways. They actually reduce or stop these changes in your airway from happening, but unfortunately do not strengthen them. 

Taking your medications as prescribed is key to helping your asthma stay under control even when you get an infection or virus. When people without lung disease get a respiratory infection, asthma treatments are often prescribed to open the airways. 

Lorene 

Lorene

Jeni D - what we have heard about nebulizer use is that hospitals are switching from nebulizer to inhaler because if the risk of the virus becoming airborne when treating a patient sick with COVID-19. You can read the statement here - https://community.aafa.org/blo...t-people-with-asthma

It's important to keep your child's asthma as well controlled as you can. If you have concerns, please contact their doctor. The current recommendation in general is to not stop taking any of your asthma medicine - https://community.aafa.org/blo...coronavirus-covid-19

Kathy P
Karleeta posted:

I am new to this so I am not sure how to go about this. I am a worried mama right now. My son who is asthmatic just had to go to the ER due to breathing problems. The said it was just his asthma due to no fever. But with it coming to close to comfort near me I am worried and want to know the true symptoms. I hear so many different things that it has me so worried. My daughter is asthmatic too but so far no breathing problems right now. Please can someone give me some possible reassurance that I am doing everything right? We have plenty of antibacterial soap and lots of sanitizer. What else should I do for them?

Hi @Karleeta we completely understand your concern and fear. Fever and a dry cough are symptoms of a virus. If your son is not running a fever it very well could just be an asthma flare. I hope he is feeling better? 

The best thing you can do is to make sure both your children take their asthma medications as directed. Do they have asthma action plans? Keep them at home as much as possible, wipe down surfaces with disinfectant wipes, wash hands often and keep them from touching their faces. At the first sign of any symptom, call your doctor to ask for guidance. 

It sounds like you are doing everything you can do, including being a caring momma. Hugs to you!

Lorene 

Lorene

The Q&A states that data indicates no higher mortality risk for people that have asthma and contract COVID-19.  

worldometers web site provides statistics that suggest asthma suffers mortality rates as follows:

Condition:
 
Chronic respiratory disease
Death Rate 
Confirmed Cases:
8.0%
Death Rate
All Cases:
6.3%

There are two sources they use that provide age, sex, and morbidity statistics:

  • The Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission published on Feb. 28 by WHO, [2] which is based on 55,924 laboratory confirmed cases. The report notes that "The Joint Mission acknowledges the known challenges and biases of reporting crude CFR early in an epidemic" (see also our discussion on: How to calculate the mortality rate during an outbreak)
  • A paper by the Chinese CCDC released on Feb. 17, which is based on 72,314confirmed, suspected, and asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 in China as of Feb. 11, and was published in the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology [1]

 

Is this data invalid or can you clarify mortality rates for other respiratory diseases vs. asthma?

M

My husband is 50 yrs old and has asthma. It is well controlled with Advair and with a few flare ups from time to time that His rescue inhaler will take care of. He hasn’t required a breathing treatment in many yrs. We are scheduled to go on a cruise in May. I am concerned considering he has asthma and I know there is so much still to be learned about this virus. Neither of us have any other underlying health conditions and are healthy otherwise.  He would still like to go but I am uncertain at this time. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

T
Ellie89 posted:

I too am desperately looking for hints on what to do in the Covid-19 situation as someone with Asthma.

From what I understand, I am not more likely to contract the virus, but it is likely that it will affect me more strongly once I do. Given the fact that at this point, we're mostly talking about "when" we will all be infected, rather than "if" - shouldn't it be the logical next step to quarantine everyone who's part of the higher risk demographic?

I have a job that I could potentially do from home, however my bosses are rather reluctant to allow it. As of now, every article and every website contains slightly different information - again, even though the common ground already seems to be that the absolute majority of people will in fact be infected. As long as there is not one unified opinion on this, or even an official statement recommending people that are at a higher risk to stay home, what do I tell my bosses? Or do I just continue to get on public transport and walk around the office, all while hoping for the best? I just can't believe there's no better way to deal with this.

Thanks in advance for your replies

My husband has adult-onset asthma and controls it with daily medication, however, I am still concerned what would happen to him if he contracted coronavirus, since I've seen him battle numerous sinus infections and suffer considerably. He is a college instructor and is exposed to many people on a daily basis. I do not have asthma, but also want to avoid becoming ill so I don't infect him, so we are both on a daily vitamin regimen of immune-boosting vitamins, including D3, C, fish oil, B2, B12, and a multivitamin that includes recommended daily doses of other immune-boosting vitamins. I have taken all of these vitamins regularly, but my husband hasn't until the past week. We also eat mostly plant-based foods and avoid processed foods and excess sugar. I also asked my husband to start exercising regularly. We exercise together for motivation. I know that 100% grape juice (3 8oz. glasses/day) also boosts immunity. I learned about it when researching how to increase immunity several years ago when I was also teaching. Taking the vitamins and grape juice and exercising at least 3 days/week enabled me to avoid becoming ill when I previously contracted an illness every quarter I taught. I have never heard anyone at the CDC or WHO recommend vitamins to boost immunity, recommend maintaining regular cardiovascular exercise, or recommend a healthy diet, but based on recommendations from our family physician and reading other physicians' advice, I feel that all of these are imporant to include into our regular regimen to avoid becoming ill in the first place. I want us to do everything in our power to stay healthy. BTW - I have not yet heard that the majority of people living in the U.S. will become infected, so I hope that is not an absolute. All the best!

C

I too am desperately looking for hints on what to do in the Covid-19 situation as someone with Asthma.

From what I understand, I am not more likely to contract the virus, but it is likely that it will affect me more strongly once I do. Given the fact that at this point, we're mostly talking about "when" we will all be infected, rather than "if" - shouldn't it be the logical next step to quarantine everyone who's part of the higher risk demographic?

I have a job that I could potentially do from home, however my bosses are rather reluctant to allow it. As of now, every article and every website contains slightly different information - again, even though the common ground already seems to be that the absolute majority of people will in fact be infected. As long as there is not one unified opinion on this, or even an official statement recommending people that are at a higher risk to stay home, what do I tell my bosses? Or do I just continue to get on public transport and walk around the office, all while hoping for the best? I just can't believe there's no better way to deal with this.

Thanks in advance for your replies

E
AG posted:
Ronl posted:
AG posted:

I have asthma but it is well controlled with medication. My 4 year old son also has mild asthma that is typically aggravated by colds. He is too young for control medications at least based on his pattern of symptoms. He uses a nebulizer when he is sick. We are traveling in a few weeks and I am very concerned about him. I am trying not to be paranoid but, it is hard when so little is known. He is 4 so handwashing is a constant battle. I feel like I should put a mask on him at least on the plane? I don’t know what to think or do at this point. 

How old is your child? Both of my children displayed symptoms of asthma around age 2. They were both put on preventative medication. This was not easy to accomplish as the newer standards require them to be older then 4. If they are around that age group I would suggest getting very involved with their pediatrician. Simple cases of bronchiolitis had my children staying in children’s hospital for days. (Each visit was to the tune of 24k, for them to supply oxygen) This was extremely frustrating since I was about 99% sure what was going on. Asthma goes back at least three generations on my side of the family. And every time they finally gave my children the steroid we got to go home ( this usually took 3 days or better before they would listen) after expressing these experience with older doctors and not students, as well as our children's pediatrician the proper medicines were finally prescribed. This has greatly improved things for my children. The usual small viruses are no longer emergency visits and several day stays at the hospital

He is 4.5. He has had bronchiolitis multiple times. He has never been hospitalized but each bout seems to get a little worse. It also seems to take him longer to recover. Often when I’ve taken him in to the doctor, although he has a lot of mucus, there’s no wheezing. I was rushed to the hospital multiple times as a child with blue lips. This is one of my biggest fears with him. Thankfully we have never experienced this. I’ve been on prednisone many times in the past with respiratory illnesses. I also lost my best friend to a severe asthma attack in 1996. The ptsd from those experiences and all the news on covid-19 has my anxiety through the roof. 

I wouldn’t worry too much he may be at risk but if he has not been hospitalized for it before it may not make thing much worse then if he had no history. I would invest in a pulse oximeter though, they are surprisingly inexpensive. They can make sure he is getting enough oxygen and cut down on unnecessary visits to the doctor. 

R
Kathy P posted:
Argos1w posted:

After reading your article it appears that people w asthma that’s controlled are no more at risk that general population - would it be the same for people that have a tendency to get bronchitis when they get sick?

@Argos1w - Because this is a new virus, researchers are still collecting data about the risk for people with asthma. Keeping your asthma under control reduces the risk of complications from any type of respiratory illness. 

It’s important to note this article is talking about transmission, not affect or severity. 

R
Ronl posted:
MikeD posted:

I am struck by how “experts” keep reassuring the general public that there is no alarm if you’re healthy and then in passing mention the elderly and those with underlying issues are at higher risk -  like we don’t need reassurance.  Very little time is spent on these groups when talking about Coronavirus.  There are countless people that fall into these categories - lung disease, heart disease, cancers, etc. It is hard not to panic or have anxiety with the 24/7 coverage.  So i wash my hands constantly and worry about someone coughing or sneezing around me- not much you can do to protect from that other than significant social distancing and isolation.

Yes they have said these people are at greater risk of complications. That really is just a foregone conclusion. What they are all, including all the coverage you see on tv is transmission. Just because you are of compromised health does not mean you are at greater risk of contracting the illness. The current focus is on preventing the spread of the virus. It’s important to weigh what you see in the coverage, very little study has been done on the severity due to the rapid spreading. The initial data points to more severity in the elderly only because the deaths are more prevalent there. But with age comes compromised health. This is rough data based how short of time the virus has been active. If you have health complications your mortality rate is going to be higher as with any illness. It’s to early to have a proper study. And personally prevention has already been lost. Next year or so if a vaccine has not been made I’m sure there will be more information. When a vaccine is made these studies will factor into who needs immunization as a priority. if you have respiratory complications a respiratory virus is going to affect you more. If you’re looking for percentages your wasting your time. 

I’m not looking for percentages.  I’m just expressing thoughts here.  Nothing more....

MikeD
Ronl posted:
AG posted:

I have asthma but it is well controlled with medication. My 4 year old son also has mild asthma that is typically aggravated by colds. He is too young for control medications at least based on his pattern of symptoms. He uses a nebulizer when he is sick. We are traveling in a few weeks and I am very concerned about him. I am trying not to be paranoid but, it is hard when so little is known. He is 4 so handwashing is a constant battle. I feel like I should put a mask on him at least on the plane? I don’t know what to think or do at this point. 

How old is your child? Both of my children displayed symptoms of asthma around age 2. They were both put on preventative medication. This was not easy to accomplish as the newer standards require them to be older then 4. If they are around that age group I would suggest getting very involved with their pediatrician. Simple cases of bronchiolitis had my children staying in children’s hospital for days. (Each visit was to the tune of 24k, for them to supply oxygen) This was extremely frustrating since I was about 99% sure what was going on. Asthma goes back at least three generations on my side of the family. And every time they finally gave my children the steroid we got to go home ( this usually took 3 days or better before they would listen) after expressing these experience with older doctors and not students, as well as our children's pediatrician the proper medicines were finally prescribed. This has greatly improved things for my children. The usual small viruses are no longer emergency visits and several day stays at the hospital

He is 4.5. He has had bronchiolitis multiple times. He has never been hospitalized but each bout seems to get a little worse. It also seems to take him longer to recover. Often when I’ve taken him in to the doctor, although he has a lot of mucus, there’s no wheezing. I was rushed to the hospital multiple times as a child with blue lips. This is one of my biggest fears with him. Thankfully we have never experienced this. I’ve been on prednisone many times in the past with respiratory illnesses. I also lost my best friend to a severe asthma attack in 1996. The ptsd from those experiences and all the news on covid-19 has my anxiety through the roof. 

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