What You Need to Know About Asthma and COVID-19, According to Experts
Initially, experts worried that asthma could increase the severity of COVID-19 or your chances of getting it—but research is starting to say differently.
When the coronavirus pandemic first hit last year, it incited panic amongst nearly everybody, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions. Patients with asthma were no exception, as it quickly became clear that COVID-19 could lead to serious respiratory issues and after-effects.
Because asthma is a lung disease that can make breathing difficult, it made sense that asthma sufferers would want to be extra careful and cautious in avoiding the SARS-COV-2 virus. COVID-19 infections can also lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory disease, which can in turn be more serious in people with asthma.
But now, after more than a year of studying the virus, there's good news: People with asthma are no longer thought to have an increased risk of contracting COVID-19. However, there is still little data showcasing how COVID-19 infections can affect the long-term health of those with asthma, which is why experts maintain that they should still stay vigilant in avoiding transmission.
Here's everything we know so far-and what you need to know-about the impact of COVID-19 on those with asthma.
How do the symptoms of an asthma flare-up compare to those of COVID-19?
Asthma is a treatable (but not curable) condition and will improve with use of inhalers, nebulizers and steroids,Soma Mandal, MD, a board-certified internist at Summit Medical Group in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, tellsHealth. COVID-19, on the other hand, is a newinfectious diseasethat largely manifests in respiratory issues.
Because both have a significant impact on the respiratory system, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish symptoms of an asthma flare from symptoms of a COVID-19 infection,Samuel Gurevich, MD, a pulmonary and critical care specialist at Cleveland Clinic Florida, tellsHealth. Sometimes an infection (including COVID-19 but not limited to that virus) can also trigger an asthma flare-which technically means you could have both at the same time.
But one of the biggest distinctions between asthma and COVID-19 is that symptoms of an asthma flare will usually resolve with an inhaler, while COVID-19 symptoms likely won't. "Some symptoms of COVID-19 such as coughing can improve with an inhaler, but generally people with moderate to severe COVID-19 need further treatment with monoclonal antibodies, dexamethasone and Remdesivir," says Dr. Mandal.
Generally speaking,symptoms of an asthma flareor attack include:
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 symptoms can include any of the following:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Loss of taste or smell
- Headaches
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nasal congestion/runny nose
It's true that some symptoms of asthma attacks also show up in COVID-19 infections, but there are more differences between the two. "While there are overlapping symptoms which can include shortness of breath and cough, asthma is more likely to present with wheeze and typically starts after exposure to a known trigger (such as pollen or smoke)," says Dr. Gurevich. "Fevers, body aches, loss of sense of taste or smell do not occur with asthma but are common [with] COVID."
If you're unsure about whether your symptoms are asthma or COVID-related, pay attention to which of the differentiating symptoms you may be experiencing and talk to your doctor before changing your treatment plan. You should also wear a mask if going out in public, as it has not been shown that mask-wearing can exacerbate asthma symptoms.
Is asthma a risk factor for COVID-19 or severe illness?
Although it was initially thought to be a risk factor for COVID-19 complications, increased hospitalization and death has fortunately not been seen in people with asthma, Dr. Mandal says, pointing to a January 2021 study in theAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. After analyzing 150 studies worldwide and comparing the prevalence of asthma in patients with COVID-19, researchers found that there was no clear evidence of "increased risk of COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalization, severity, or mortality due to asthma."
The CDC, however, still lists asthma-specifically moderate-to-severe asthma-as a condition that could make you more likely to become severely ill from COVID-19.
This means you should still be mindful about keeping your asthma symptoms at bay-especially when COVID-19 is still circulating. While available data so far suggests that asthma does not make it more likely to get COVID-19 or to have a worse outcome from COVID-19, having any lung deficiency including poorly controlled asthma will leave an individual with less respiratory reserve and therefore less prepared for infections including COVID-19, Dr. Gurevich says.
"As a doctor who treats asthma regularly, I have been advising my patients to keep their asthma under control," Dr. Mandal adds. "Those patients who have uncontrolled (moderate to severe) asthma, can theoretically have worse respiratory symptoms if COVID-19 attacks their lungs."
This is based on how some asthmatics respond to other viral illnesses; for example, some asthmatics can also have asthma/ COPD overlap, Dr. Mandal says.COPD has been shownto be one of the chronic conditions that can lead to serious complications with COVID-19.
"Anecdotally, we are seeing more patients coming into the clinic after recovering from COVID with asthma-type symptoms as well as recurrence of asthma that may have been dormant for years, Dr. Gurevich adds. "There may be an alteration in the immune system due to COVID that is responsible for this and more data should be coming soon."
Should people with asthma get the COVID-19 vaccine?
而实践像洗手和子g a mask in public can cut down infection risk, at this point, it's clear that increased vaccination rates are tied to a decreased risk of infections and hospitalizations and that it's the best way to beat this thing and eventually return to more of a sense of normalcy.
IInitially, it was not well known whether asthma was a strong risk factor for COVID-19 complications and experts maintained that patients with moderate to severe uncontrolled asthma have respiratory symptoms that may have been worsened by COVID-19. This was one of the reasons why they were made a priority for receiving theCOVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Mandal says. While they may not necessarily have needed priority over the general public, asthma patients definitely should not be passing altogether on getting vaccinated, given the risk of increased and exacerbated asthma symptoms after COVID-19 recovery, Dr. Gurevich adds.
"While we now know that having asthma does not necessarily increase risk of COVID-19 complications, it was still a good decision to prioritize these patients until further research was conducted," Dr. Mandal says. "Unless you are allergic to one of the components of the vaccines, or you have had an actual allergic reaction to the vaccine itself, everyone should be receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at this point."
The information in this story is accurate as of press time. However, as the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, it's possible that some data have changed since publication. While Health is trying to keep our stories as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using theCDC,WHO,他们的损失cal public health department as resources.
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" }, { "answer_choices": [ { "answer_title": "A multi-layer medical procedure mask (aka a surgical mask or disposable face mask)", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A1", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 9947, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T11:48:12.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "A mask with a vent or valve", "correct_answer": true, "answer_id": "A2", "answer_value": 1, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 86873, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T11:47:44.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "A cloth mask made of two or more breathable, washable layers", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A3", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 19963, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T04:44:29.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "A cloth mask over a surgical mask", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A4", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 6264, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T02:08:27.000Z" } } ], "answer_type": "text", "question_title": "Which masking option is least effective for stopping the spread of COVID-19?", "question_id": "Q4", "answer_description": "If your mask has a vent or valve, respiratory particles may escape and reach other people. Opt instead for a well-fitting mask with multiple layers, or wear a cloth mask over a disposable mask to secure the underlying mask to your face.
" }, { "answer_choices": [ { "answer_title": "Anal swab testing", "correct_answer": true, "answer_id": "A1", "answer_value": 1, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 104815, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T11:48:12.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "Nasal swab testing", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A2", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 12167, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T10:36:37.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "Saliva testing", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A3", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 3489, "lastModified": "2021-11-28T15:57:08.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "Throat swab testing", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A4", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 2576, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T10:38:32.000Z" } } ], "answer_type": "text", "question_title": "Which COVID-19 screening method is not routinely in use in the US?", "question_id": "Q5", "answer_description": "Most diagnostic tests rely on mucus collected from your nose or throat, and some use saliva that you spit into a test tube. While China is using anal swab testing, that method hasn't caught on in the US.
" }, { "answer_choices": [ { "answer_title": "2 to 12 hours", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A1", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 5773, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T11:11:25.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "3 days", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A2", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 27819, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T11:47:44.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "14 days", "correct_answer": true, "answer_id": "A3", "answer_value": 1, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 88583, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T11:48:12.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "30 days", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A4", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 872, "lastModified": "2021-11-22T02:41:07.000Z" } } ], "answer_type": "text", "question_title": "How long is the incubation period—the amount time from when you are infected with the novel coronavirus to when you exhibit symptoms?", "question_id": "Q6", "answer_description": "The incubation is thought to be 14 days, with a median of 4 to 5 days. (But keep in mind that some people never develop symptoms).
" }, { "answer_choices": [ { "answer_title": "A variant", "correct_answer": true, "answer_id": "A1", "answer_value": 1, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 84283, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T11:48:12.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "A high viral load", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A2", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 9576, "lastModified": "2021-11-28T15:57:08.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "A vaccine", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A3", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 11487, "lastModified": "2021-11-26T03:02:08.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "Another virus, like influenza", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A4", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 17702, "lastModified": "2021-11-26T16:25:33.000Z" } } ], "answer_type": "text", "question_title": "A mutated version of the virus that causes COVID-19 is called:", "question_id": "Q7", "answer_description": "Variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been identified in the US and around the world. Scientists are studying these variants to learn how they spread and whether current vaccines will protect against them.
" }, { "answer_choices": [ { "answer_title": "Researchers have coined the term \"coronaphobia\" to describe the fear of contracting COVID-19", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A1", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 10563, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T11:47:44.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "The virus that causes COVID-19 can sometimes spread through tiny airborne particles", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A2", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 14955, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T01:58:12.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "The term \"long-haulers\" refers to people who experience long-term coronavirus symptoms", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A3", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 6560, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T10:01:20.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "COVID-19 is just like having the seasonal flu", "correct_answer": true, "answer_id": "A4", "answer_value": 1, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 90971, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T11:48:12.000Z" } } ], "answer_type": "text", "question_title": "Which of the following statements is false?", "question_id": "Q8", "answer_description": "Early on, some people speculated that the novel coronavirus would behave like the seasonal flu. Now we know COVID-19 is much more contagious and spreads more rapidly than influenza.
" }, { "answer_choices": [ { "answer_title": "Women who want to become pregnant some day", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A1", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 11376, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T10:01:20.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "Anyone who has had a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to any vaccine ingredient", "correct_answer": true, "answer_id": "A2", "answer_value": 1, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 69049, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T11:48:12.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "People who have recovered from COVID-19", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A3", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 10158, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T04:44:29.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "People with underlying medical conditions", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A4", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 32465, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T09:47:41.000Z" } } ], "answer_type": "text", "question_title": "Who should not get a COVID-19 vaccine?", "question_id": "Q9", "answer_description": "CDC does not recommend COVID vaccination if you've had a severe allergic reaction to any COVID vaccine ingredient. Contact your doctor if you have questions about whether it's safe for you to be vaccinated.
" }, { "answer_choices": [ { "answer_title": "You can't get COVID-19 from a COVID-19 shot", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A1", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 20341, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T11:48:12.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "Side effects are generally mild and short-lived", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A2", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 8140, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T10:06:04.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "It can take a few weeks after getting vaccinated for your body to build immunity to the virus", "correct_answer": false, "answer_id": "A3", "answer_value": 0, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 4797, "lastModified": "2021-11-28T23:16:35.000Z" } }, { "answer_title": "None of the above", "correct_answer": true, "answer_id": "A4", "answer_value": 1, "$vf_selected_count": { "value": 89770, "lastModified": "2021-11-29T11:47:44.000Z" } } ], "answer_type": "text", "question_title": "Which of the following statements about COVID-19 are false?", "question_id": "Q10", "answer_description": "Vaccination is safe, effective, and an important tool for beating the pandemic.
" } ], "description": "News about the novel coronavirus is breaking nearly 24-7, which makes it challenging at best to keep up with the latest scientific evidence, especially when you're bombarded by false or misleading claims on social media. So how much do you really know about COVID-19? Take our quiz to gauge how knowledgeable you are.
", "gate": "none", "intro_page": true, "uuid": "c5d20a0c-6b54-4691-ac5b-7362b5c9e58c", "brand": "health", "headline": "Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Coronavirus?", "results": [ { "result_starting_range": 0, "button": { "_type": "button", "title": "Start Learning More", "src": "https://x.specialoffers.meredith.com/ats/show.aspx?cr=588&fm=201®source=20571" }, "result_ending_range": 3, "result_description": "Time to bone up on the basic facts about COVID-19. Check out our COVID-19 condition center and subscribe to our daily Healthy Living newsletter and never miss an update.
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\nWhile Health is trying to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.
", "result_title": "Not Much." }, { "result_starting_range": 4, "button": { "_type": "button", "title": "Learn Some More", "src": "https://x.specialoffers.meredith.com/ats/show.aspx?cr=588&fm=201®source=20571" }, "result_ending_range": 6, "result_description": "Not bad, but there’s much more to know about this illness. Subscribe to our daily Healthy Living newsletter and never miss an update.
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\nWhile Health is trying to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.
", "result_title": "You Know Some Things About Some Things." }, { "result_starting_range": 7, "button": { "_type": "button", "title": "Stay Updated with Newsletters", "src": "https://x.specialoffers.meredith.com/ats/show.aspx?cr=588&fm=201®source=20571" }, "result_ending_range": 8, "result_description": "Terrific. Keep reading about COIVD-19 on Health.com and stay safe!
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\nWhile Health is trying to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.
", "result_title": "You Are Certified to Debate on Social Media." }, { "result_starting_range": 9, "button": { "_type": "button", "title": "Sign Up for Newsletters", "src": "https://x.specialoffers.meredith.com/ats/show.aspx?cr=588&fm=201®source=20571" }, "result_ending_range": 10, "result_description": "You are definitely in the know! Keep coming back to Health.com for the latest information.
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\nWhile Health is trying to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, we also encourage readers to stay informed on news and recommendations for their own communities by using the CDC, WHO, and their local public health department as resources.
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