Covid 19 and your asthma

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In December 2019, a worldwide health pandemic, quite unexpected started. Coronavirus, a virus previously known to occur only in animals found its way into humans and everyone was unprepared for it! Covid 19 became the most popular word suddenly globally.

So far, known symptoms of Covid 19 include: Fever, cough, new loss of taste or smell, shortness of breath, muscle fatigue; body aches, chills, sore throat, runny nose, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.

Within a few months, Covid 19 had completely changed the way of life of most people globally - schools were closed; shops were closed; public gatherings were cancelled; and big hospitals sprang up in open spaces in a matter of days.

 For those with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which includes asthma, Covid 19 became a new major risk they now have to be aware of.

 

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 and have asthma, use the 111 coronavirus online service to get advice about what to do. Call 111 if you can’t get help online or if your asthma symptoms are getting worse.

 If it’s an asthma attack you are having or your asthma is simply getting worse, remember, asthma may cause you to have a wheeze; change your peak flow score; and it should improve with you taking your reliever inhaler. If your symptoms don’t feel like your usual asthma symptoms but are among the Covid 19 symptoms or just different to your usual asthma symptoms, don’t delay. Get help from healthcare professionals and when you speak to them about your symptoms remember to tell them that you have asthma.

  Other things to note:

·       You can request a test to check if you do have Covid 19. The NHS website has locations all over the UK where you can book to go to a test location closest to you

·       Follow your asthma plan to continue to manage your asthma. Your plan should contain clear guidance on what to do if your symptoms get worse, Covid 19 or not. Use your preventer inhalers as prescribed for treating asthma and the reliever (emergency) inhalers if you think you are having an attack – as per your asthma action plan.

·       Until you have received a clear result, as long as you feel you may have coronavirus, please stay at home and don't go to a doctor's surgery, pharmacy or hospital, unless advised otherwise by healthcare professionals.

·       Remember your asthma inhalers only work for asthma. They have not been prescribed for Covid 19. Please speak to healthcare professionals as regards any Covid 19 related symptoms including breathlessness.


Finally, remember these safety guidelines:



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