If I get ill can I use my Ventolin inhaler? (Not asthmatic, have it for sever hayfever)

[Neednewwellies]

Just that really. I have a ventolin inhaler prescribed because my hayfever can occasionally be so bad it causes breathing issues. So my question is, if I get the virus and my breathing was to become laboured can I use my ventolin? Will it help? Could it make me worse? I know it’s not a steroid inhaler and just helps open my airways but I’m not sure what the effect would be if I had a pneumonia type of virus. Thanks

Sorry for typos in heading. Much as I would love to sever my HF

I'm curious too - my son has asthma.

Of course you can, Ventolin can be used during any type of chest infection, all it does is open the airways.
My daughter is a chronic asthmatic.

I have dormant asthma and was told not to use an inhaler when I had pneumonia last year, both by the hospital and my GP. I'm not sure if that'll be the same for Coronavirus though!

Thanks everyone. @AnchorDownDeepBreath, that’s what I’m unsure/concerned about. I wouldn’t want to make myself worse. I know you must not use the brown steroid inhaler with pneumonia as that can be dangerous and make it worse. But I wasn’t sure about ventolin.
@susandelgado, yes, that’s what I thought but then Anchor’s experience clearly contradicts that. (Unless that advice was relating to a steroid inhaler)

I was given an inhaler after respiratory distress (they initially thought COPD but then decided allergy trigger). I have used it subsequently with no ill effects when breathing was difficult yes.

This rings a bell with me, but a quick google confirms that it's just steroid inhalers, and no one's quite sure why. Looks like the steroids may suppress the immune response, when you want a hearty immune response to fight off pneumonia.

I don't think Ventolin would have the same effect.

I was instructed to use a ventolin inhaler during a bout of bronchitis. I kept it and used it again when I had another chest infection. It’s just a vasodilator, isn’t it?

Yes to Ventolin.
If you don't have a spacer to use with it then get one now - they're so much more effective.

I'd try to find out from a more reliable source on specific use with CV and not strangers on the internet.
Maybe if you contract it you should have this conversation with your 111 adviser.
No one here has cv experience so should not be relied upon for medical advice.

Thanks everyone. I’ll try and get more specific advice.

I have asthma too and use ventolin and steroid inhalers. I'm also a medical student so have some more understanding about this, but unfortunately not specific to pneumonia.
This time 2 years ago I had a viral chest infection and could hardly breathe. The ventolin inhaler made me cough a little but did help a bit, but I couldn't use my steroid inhaler as it would start a coughing fit and felt like my chest would seize a little. Had been advised by my gp to take both inhalers as normal, but the steroid just made it worse. Was also prescribed steroid tablets that helped a little.
At the time I didn't have a spacer (but do now and is helpful when I've had a cold), but really wished I had then as it would've helped with the coughing.

As you only use ventolin inhalers it would be completely fine to use with pneumonia (although I don't know much it would help), but I definitely recommend trying to get a spacer as it will make it so much easier to breathe it in. You just connect it to the inhaler, put your mouth over the mouth piece and breathe normally through your mouth for several breathes after pressing the inhaler.
If you are worried, definitely try to speak to your gp or you can ask a pharmacist!!