Recommendations for people with asthma in the face of COVID-19

COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV2 coronavirus, presents certain symptoms similar to asthma, such as cough and breathing problems, so it can sometimes lead to confusion, although COVID-19 is usually accompanied by fever while not asthma

COVID-19 is transmitted mainly through droplets of saliva that come out of our mouths when we sneeze or cough. People within a distance of less than 2 meters can breathe in these droplets and become infected.

These droplets can fall on surfaces that would be contaminated. When a person touches them and puts his hands to his face, the viruses would enter his body through the mouth, nose or eyes.

We can all get infected by the coronavirus but according to the WHO there are people who have a higher risk of doing so, and among them are asthmatics. The measures that we all have to have to prevent getting infected would be:

Frequent hand washing with soap and water.

Do not touch our faces with our hands if they have not been washed properly.

Stay home to avoid contact with other people.

Cover yourself when coughing or sneezing with the crook of your elbow or a tissue.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects with 1% bleach. Ideally, this cleaning should not be carried out by the person with asthma and if they have to do it, do so with a mask, ventilating the room to be cleaned...

What should I do if I have asthma?

Different scientific entities such as the World Health Organization, the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), the Spanish Society of Primary Care Physicians (SEMERGEN) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), among others, In recent days, they have published a series of specific tips for people with asthma and which are the ones that all of them should follow:

1. Follow your asthma action plan to keep your asthma under control.
2. Avoid triggers that cause your symptoms.
3. Do not stop your asthma treatment or change the way you take it without talking to your doctor.
4. Always carry your rescue medication with you.
5. In cases of crisis you must follow your action plan as described. If it doesn't work, see a doctor.
6. Avoid treatment with nebulizers as it facilitates the spread of the coronavirus.
7. Use individual spacer chambers to deliver pressurized cartridge inhalers
8. In cases of allergic rhinitis, continue your nasal treatments as scheduled.
9. Spirometry tests, to prevent transmission of the virus, will be suspended. If they have to be carried out, all necessary measures will be taken to avoid this transmission.
10. Do not ignore the symptoms, especially the feeling of suffocation.
11. Take paracetamol for fever and not ibuprofen.

If the asthma worsens and there is a risk of having coronavirus, call your Family Doctor, if this is not possible, contact the Emergency Service or the coronavirus helpline in your Autonomous Community. Do not go to the Emergency Room or your Health Center unless you have very intense symptoms and they do not answer the phone.

If you contact your doctor or the emergency room, we advise you to be clear and concise saying that you have asthma and your symptoms have increased, the number of times you have used your rescue inhaler and if your symptoms have not improved after use, and follow the steps below. the letter the instructions they give you.

Alternatives for patients with asthma

In these times when information, especially through social networks, is very abundant, it is essential to differentiate truth from hoaxes. For this reason, the Lovexair Foundation has created the #CONCIENCIA Support Line through which people affected by respiratory diseases can consult their doubts and concerns and receive quality information thanks to our coaches, health professionals who are experts in digital health and respiratory physiotherapy.