How to tell them apart

Regarding asthma and COVID-19, differentiating the symptoms of the virus from those of any other respiratory disease is complicated, as is the case with asthma, since coughing and shortness of breath are common in both. The difference is in the fever that can appear in COVID-19 but not in asthma.

Another important aspect is that if the symptoms are caused by asthma, they will disappear or improve after taking the rescue inhaler. If they do not improve the cause will be another.

Preventive measures

To prevent this, people with asthma must follow the same guidelines as everyone else.

  • Hand washing for 40 seconds.
  • Do not touch your face with your hands unwashed.
  • Staying at home.
  • Covering ourselves when coughing or sneezing with a disposable tissue or elbow.
  • Use masks, especially if we have symptoms.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects.

What should I do if I suffer from asthma?

Societies 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), advise:

  1. Keeping asthma under control.
  2. Avoid triggers.
  3. Follow the treatment exhaustively.
  4. Always carry your rescue medication.
  5. In cases of crisis, follow the action plan.
  6. Avoid treatment with nebulizers.
  7. Use spacer chambers with pressurized cartridges.
  8. Do not ignore the symptoms, especially the feeling of drowning.
  9. Take paracetamol for fever and not ibuprofen.
  10. If symptoms worsen or symptoms are consistent with COVID-19, contact your doctor.

Alternatives for patients with asthma

To support people with asthma, the Lovexair Foundation has the LiCon-science Support Line, where our HappyAir Coaches, healthcare professionals specialized in respiratory and digital health, will help these people clarify their doubts.

At a time when going to a medical centre is neither possible nor advisable, it is essential to work with digital health tools. Thanks to them we can continue to have an active life, adhere to treatments, properly manage our illness and keep it under control.

An example of these tools is the HappyAir Comprehensive Care Platform, which, in addition to monitoring the evolution of our disease and compliance with our treatment, will provide support from a respiratory coach, a healthcare professional duly trained in respiratory care and online care.

If you want to expand this information on asthma and Covid-19, you will find more on the website of Lovexair.

Bibliography

http://www.respirar.org/index.php/portal-de-familias/novedades/530-coronavirus-y-asma
https://ginasthma.org/covid-19-gina-answers-to-frequently-asked-questions-on-asthma-management/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/asthma.html
https://www.semergen.es/index.php?seccion=noticias&subSeccion=detalleNoticia&idN=607

Last updated on May 4, 2020