The Link Between Asthma and Covid
As the field of pulmonology is my rubric, allow me to discuss for this week’s column, the link between asthma and Coronavirus disease (Covid).
For starters, asthma will not increase one’s chances of getting Covid.
However, if infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus, the cause of Covid, the symptoms of an asthmatic are worse compared to non-asthmatics.
Asthma is considered as comorbidity, therefore asthmatic people are encouraged to get the Covid vaccine.
Patients with asthma should continue taking their controller medication (i.e. inhaled steroid).
Inhaled steroid will help prevent severe asthma exacerbation when an asthmatic gets infected with Covid.
Contrary to other people’s beliefs, inhaled steroid will not cause immune suppression.
There is no scientific evidence to prove that inhaled steroid will increase the severity of Covid infection.
While this pandemic still persists, asthmatic patients should ensure to keep their asthma under control by taking their prescribed controller medication like inhaled steroid. That way, asthmatic lungs will be in their best shape to fight any infection, including Covid.