Unsure if I'm 'high risk' or not

[Besom]

I was prescribed blue and brown inhalers a few years ago after I had breathing difficulties during viral illness and had to go on a nebuliser. I think they told me I had asthma at the time but can't really remember, or maybe I just assumed. I have asthmatic symtoms if I walk too fast in the cold and the usual kind of thing. I don't go anywhere without the inhaler.

It occurred to me the other day that I have never been told to go for a flu jab. I have just phoned the GP surgery and had a not particularly helpful conversation with the receptionist. She said they do not have me categorised as asthmatic and this will be why no flu jab. (I get flu jab at work anyway).

I have just recently moved from a front line social care job to 'desk job' and working from home but I have skills which are not common in the workforce so it's possible I would be asked to go back to the frontline. So it is kind of important that I'm clear but I feel confused about it.

No.

No

No. The self isolation is for severe asthma, also known as brittle asthma. My son aged 12 has brittle asthma he takes 3 inhalers, montelukast, long term azythromycin and 8 steroid tablets a day.

I know there is some confusion at the moment but having the usual 2 inhalers is not severe asthma.

No.
You would know if you were high risk.
My OH has severe asthma and has to use a nebuliser and has been admitted to hospital with breathing difficulties due to common cold in the past.

I have diagnosed asthma that is well controlled and I'd say I'm not high risk at all, so I wouldn't have thought you were - hope that reassures you!

FthisS I think I read that it applies to asthmatics who have, in their adult life, required hospital admission for their asthma.

My asthma is like amputatedsoul’s oh and i’m taking extra precautions. Not necessarily because of coronavirus but because if I catch a cold that requires hospital admission i’m worried there might not be space for me.

I have late onset asthma with inhaler and do get a flu jab but was never told to. Expecting to be notified if deemed "high risk" but would not consider myself in same group as those with heart disease, copd etc

I believe the GP surgeries are contacting people who they consider to be high risk as of Monday aren't they?
I'm Type 1 diabetic and pregnant so I am expecting a call, OH isn't sure about him and his asthma and is carrying on as normal until told otherwise.

It's so unclear, I spoke with asthma uk to yesterday and she said it applies to people to have more than the regular 2 inhalers, take steroids often, have add on asthma treatment (like montelukast) and have had a diagnosis of severe asthma. Which in all honesty it's very difficult to get a diagnosis of brittle asthma. If you are able to self isolate and are worried it does no harm. My son is so unwell all the time with brittle asthma that my husband has even moved out we are having no contact at all not even post. I'm honestly terrified of my son getting unwell, it's bad enough if he gets a cold.

Not high risk (also called most serious health conditions), but still in vulnerable category.

I think there are some dangerous statements here. The government guidance is clear, if you have chronic (long term) asthma you are classed as a vulnerable person in relation to Covid19. There is nothing in the guidance about the severity of the asthma. You can have well controlled asthma and not have had an attack for years but something can still trigger it. This is a dangerous virus that attacks the lungs. If you have been diagnosed with chronic asthma then you are at risk and should limit your social interaction as much as you can.

I meant to link this document on it:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

The advice is if you are entitled to receive the NHS free flu jab each year then you are classed as having underlying health issues.

All asthma is chronic but severe asthma is different. It's a completely different type of asthma it's a diagnosed condition affecting a small amount of people who have asthma, it is also known as brittle asthma but that term isn't as commonly used anymore.

I meant to add this regarding severe asthma

I think the advice is unclear around asthma. I dont have severe asthma and have never had a hospital admission, have had a number of courses of steroids and use symbicort rather than 2 inhalers and do get offered the flu jab so 🤷‍♀️ In my case I'll just be v sensible but not totally isolate, as it is I've been in bed for a week with suspected cv so that ship has probably already sailed!

Tangledyarn I hope you are better soon!

Sorry by 'high risk" I meant in this other group that are being told by government to take more precautions. I know I am not at highest risk of course. I think I had better try to clarify with the GP if I am asked to do any front line work as I don"t know if my flu jab status is a mistake or not. I read on the nhs website that flu jabs should be offered to people with steroid inhaler.

Thanks MisummerMeadow for this link. I agree with you that this guidance is very clear and does not mention severity - if you have diagnosis of asthma and are offered the flu jab you are in this category.

@besom. It is confusing and definitely not clear cut for some people (me included due to other conditions I have) So yeah theres the higher risk groups with the list of main conditions then the extra high risk who will be contacted separately by gps I'm guessing to be given more specific advice. Either way stay safe Xx

I agree we all just need to do what we feel we can. Sorry if I came across rude I'm extremely stressed at the moment because of how unwell my son is with his chest I'm not sleeping or eating and I'm completely terrified. Stay safe all