Asthma, Allergies and COVID-19: What are the implications?
The coronavirus pandemic originated in China in December 2019 and the first case was reported in South Africa on the 5th of March 2020. To date there are hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 cases in over 180 countries. South Africa is seeing a rapid rise in confirmed cases, including cases of community transmission. What does this mean for those with asthma and allergies? Let’s go over the facts:
COVID-19 is the name given to the viral respiratory syndrome caused by infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
Most people who contract the virus will experience mild symptoms, however, around 16% of people will have severe illness, which may be fatal.
Children usually have a mild infection and can been infected without displaying any symptoms at all. This means children are much less at risk of becoming very sick but can be important in the spread of the virus to others.
The data from the Chinese experience showed that only children with a significant underlying medical condition had severe disease.
The elderly and those with chronic health conditions- particularly lung and heart disease- are the most at risk of severe illness.
What about asthmatics?
Well controlled asthmatics have not been shown to be more at risk of being infected by coronavirus or having severe COVID-19. Interestingly, wheezing is not a prominent characteristic of COVID-19.
Any viral respiratory tract infection may cause an asthma attack or loss of asthma control. Asthmatics should aim for excellent asthma control at this time.
Asthma attack can progress rapidly so remain aware of your asthma symptoms; an asthma diary may be helpful to monitor symptoms.
How do I distinguish COVID-19 and symptoms of allergies?
Allergic rhinitis causes nasal congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, an itchy nose and itchy, watery eyes. Allergic asthma may cause a cough, wheezing and shortness of breath. Some people find that they feel very tired and may have headaches when their allergic conditions flare. Fever is not a symptom of allergy. Allergic disorders produce symptoms that are persistent, although they may wax and wane.
Fever is present in the vast majority of cases of COVID-19. Other symptoms include a cough, tiredness and body aches, shortness of breath, a sore throat and in some cases diarrhoea. Nasal congestion was present only in 5% and eye symptoms only in <1% of cases according to early WHO reports. COVID-19 is an illness with an acute onset.
What can you do?
- Comply with the regulations of the three week lockdown. If we all do our part we can curb the predicted exponential rise in infections which would overwhelm the healthcare system. Do your part and stay at home. #flattenthecurve.
- Self-quarantining for 14 days after travel.
- Pay attention to basic hygiene including: hand washing and using hand sanitizer; avoiding touching other people, your face and surfaces where the virus may be found; discarding used tissues immediately and keeping a suitable distance between yourself and other people.
- Asthmatics should continue to use their regular preventative asthma treatment; this will reduce the likelihood of asthma symptoms triggered by COVID-19 or any other respiratory infection. Inhaled and intranasal corticosteroids do not weaken the immune system and should be continued to ensure excellent asthma control.
- Prolonged use of oral corticosteroids may suppress the immune system, potentially causing more severe COVID-19 disease.
- Pay attention to using the correct technique with your inhalers and spacers.
- Keep reliever medication on hand to use should you experience asthma symptoms.
- An asthma action plan helps asthmatics to identify loss of asthma control and acute asthma exacerbations. The action plan helps asthmatics to start home treatment and to know when to access healthcare.
- Get the flu vaccination.
- Acknowledge and manage personal and family anxiety.
Utilize the NICD website for up to date, reliable information. For COVID related queries contact the NICD public hotline on 0800 029 999
Thanks Candice. Very informative to our patients. Another good idea is to NOT share their inhaler devices with eachother!
Keep isolating everyone!
Thanks for this Dr Candice. This is very informative and will help our patients a lot. We should also DISCOURAGE our patients TO SHARE their inhaler device among each other. Each family member should use their own inhaler!
Thanx for info about ashmatic
Thanks Dr Pieter de Waal for your comments – we agree. We are also excited to announce that this info will be placed in a downloadable PDF poster soon – which medical professionals can place in their practices and send to their asthma patients for easy printing.
We appreciate the feedback many thanks.
As. 75 year old with asthma I booked for a flu shot before lockdown was announced, for 1st April. I don’t want to go to the pharmacy in a shopping Centre. What do I do?
Hi Paddy. The only option would be to go to your local healthcare provider/GP instead. Most doctors are happy to administer the flu jab. Wishing you well.
Good day
Both my kids are asthmatics, for 3 weeks now I administrator their Budaflam preventive pumps, also giving my kids extra multivitamins and vitamins c we also we also went for the flu vaccine last week
The only issue i have now is, I’m not sure if I should give my kids two puffs at a time morning and night or only mornings…
Kindly can you advise
The article does not talk much on allergies in relation to COVID 19. My daughter is allergic to a lot of stuff but in this advert of the pandemic symptoms are confusing. We are always having to worry if it is the corona virus.
I have a history of asthma as well as my two kids. Although i have managed to control it for my kids. During this season i develop allergies and as am talking i have itchy watery eyes, itchy ears, nose and pccassional sneezing besides a mild cough ohh and a sore throat. My worry is couod this the sysmptoms of covid 19☺☺☺
Thank you doctor Candice Royal
In 2010 was diagnosed with TB and started the treatment for 9 months , the after effects lead to development of Aspergillosis is an infection caused by a type of mold (fungus). … Most strains of this mold are harmless, but a few can cause serious illnesses when people with weakened immune systems, underlying lung disease or asthma inhale their fungal spores.
i can see fungus ball on my Xray , this lead to Acute Asthma now have to use inhaler use Asthavent , theophylline tablet and symbicort. During bad weather i develop cold and flu symptoms and shortness breath , some time my chest gets pained. last week i went to DR he took blood test and did some x ray he said everything seem fine i am thinking for going for COINVID 19 Test ,but i have not seen much difference as this symptoms almost the same this symptoms happen in normal daily life since diagnosed with asthma
Coinvid 19
Thank you for the article. I was very worried about COVID-19 and with having 3 asthmatic children. My mind feels more at ease now.
@Justine, maybe just phone the doctor to make sure?
@AllergyFoundation my son is 2 years 7 months, he is on chronic asthma medication, and I don’t know if I must send him back to school now before the vaccine is out for Covid19 and especially because it is almost winter. He did get flu injection but I am worried because of his asthma. Is it better to homeschool him the rest of the year? Please help I really need advice on this
Hi Dr. Thanks for the info. Just last night the Miniof Health included Asthama as a comorbidity-stating that hypertension and diabetes as well as obesity are more severe in totals of South Africa’s fatalities. Do we risk going back to work and school? Knowing that cold and flu affects Asthmatics differently in many cases it ends up in the chest/infection and worsens Asthma flair up. Do we risk it?
Yes Asthma has been cited as a comorbidity for coronavirus infection, however, there are numerous studies that have not shown an increase in infection or severity of COVID-19 in asthmatics who are well controlled. Our message is to maintain excellent asthma control and to undertake all aspects of personal hygiene and infection control as is applicable to the general public.
@Arie I have 3 kids and they will not return to school, I will rather suggest that you do homeschooling. Why put your child or your family at risk if homeschooling is an option or available. I know not everyone will agree with me, but I will never forgive myself if something happes to my family with the feeling that it could be prevented. Be save everyone.
Thanks Dr.as I’m already COVID positive,and Asthmatic,but I have controlled asthma and asymptomatic for COVID now am in self isolation.
Iam a asthmatic and i feel tite and tired.. i wanna fi d out how do u control asthma during this covid-19
Hi my mother is 75yrs old and having asthma for years, now she’s complaining about heavy chest but she is not coughing what could be the problem?
I came across VineHealth (vinehealthcenter. com) and their COPD Protocol. I started on the treatment last year, my symptoms gradually diminished including my shortness of breath