Coronavirus and asthma

[nutmegand]

Apologies if this has been asked before, I've had a skim through the existing Coronavirus threads, but can't see anything specifically about CV and asthma...

I have relatively well controlled asthma. Take the lowest dose of Qvar daily - don't often need to take Ventolin. Fortunate to be in fairly good health otherwise.

As lung conditions are a risk factor for CV, I've been moved to home working for the foreseeable. While DP can work from home, his place of work is largely manual work and it sounds as though they are planning to carry on as normal for as long as possible. DC in nursery.

For those with asthma, are you taking steps to avoid crowds/people, would you be taking your DC to school or nursery next week?

I hadn't been feeling worried about the situation, but since being sent home from work, I'm starting to feel quite concerned...

My DS has asthma (he’s three, takes a preventer daily, often needs reliever with a cold, though hasn’t needed it the last couple of times).

I am still sending him to nursery, BUT am being very hot on taking the preventer, and will be pulling him out of nursery as soon as there are any local cases.

I’ve done some reading and whilst asthma would seemingly be a risk factor, as yet there isn’t actually a clear sign that asthma makes the condition worse, or that outcomes are worse. Heart disease and high BP seem
To be bigger issues.

There are a couple of studies ongoing using existing samples, and I imagine we’ll have clear guidance soon.

Apparently coronaviruses of all kinds are only responsible for 7% or so of viral exacerbations of asthma- they just don’t trigger the condition as badly as RSV etc do-
Though it isn’t clear why and of course Covid 19 could still have different effects.

Hope that helps a bit.

I have asthma (and I also work in infectious diseases so I do get some information the general public doesn’t necessarily get, or at least I get a bit of insight earlier). I am taking extra precautions.

I am working remotely anyway (I’m a scientist, not a clinician and not the right kind of scientist to help with this - though many of my friends are being called into clinical duties and drafted in to help at PHE). So yes, I’m taking extra precautions. I’m keeping both my dc home this week. If anything changes, I can always send them next week. But there is no harm done by keeping them off since I’m home anyway (dh is self employed and works alone so dc are my only risk of exposure through close contact).

My asthma is well controlled but I have a history of serious pneumonia. I’ve been in hospital several times. It was only unilateral pneumonia but the last time was hell. I was ill and off work for 6 weeks and not full functioning for 6 months after - and this was with excellent care in a not overwhelmed private hospital (I was abroad at the time).

I just can’t get sick like that again. It was really bad. I know my body and I know I’m prone to pneumonia, so we are taking every precaution until we know we don’t need to. I’d rather come out the other end feeling a bit ridiculous that I overreacted than the alternative.

I’m thankful that we are financially comfortable and have the means to do that and can plan work around dc and dh’s work. Not everyone has that luxury though.

@nutmegand asthma UK have specific advice for people with asthma. I have mild asthma & my DD has brittle asthma

Thanks all, that's really helpful. Hard to find much about corona and asthma but this is really useful