Asthma sufferers encouraged to continue the use of their medication amid Covid-19 outbreak
JOHANNESBURG – There are currently no confirmed studies on the effects of the coronavirus on people with conditions like asthma.
Asthmatic individuals have been advised to take extra precautions as the world battles the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Dr Sara Kayat’s article on Al-Jazeera, although Covid-19 does not seem to have a bigger effect on those with asthma, ‘we are aware from other illnesses like the common cold, that they can trigger asthma flare-ups and attacks’.
At the moment, there are no confirmed studies on the effects of the coronavirus on people with conditions like asthma. With the common symptoms involving respiratory issues such as shortness of breath and coughing, coronavirus could have a significant impact on asthmatics.
Channels Medical Solutions specialises in the awareness and production of respiratory, neuro-diagnostic and other specialised electromedical products, accessories and consumables.
National sales manager at Channels Medical Solutions, Loraine du Bois said Covid-19 symptoms can trigger asthma attacks. “Covid-19 can affect your respiratory tract, cause an asthma attack and possibly lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory disease. However, with that said, there is no evidence at this point that people with asthma are more likely to get coronavirus than anyone else.”
Du Bois listed ways in which asthmatic people can keep safe from contracting the virus during this time
- Stay at home, do not go out unless necessary
- Use your preventer inhaler every day as prescribed and keeping your reliever inhaler with you all the time
- Clean your hands often by washing with soap and water
- Keep your distance from other people who are sick
- Wear a mask and gloves when going out
- If you leave your house, never go out without your medication
- Wear an emergency bracelet indicating that you are an asthmatic patient.
“Patients with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma take daily precautions like taking their preventer inhaler every day as prescribed, and keeping their reliever inhaler with them at all times so they can use it if their symptoms get worse,” concluded Du Bois.
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