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Original poster

Asthma and going back to work

15 replies

Idontbelieveit12 · 23/04/2020 10:01

My husband has been furloughed for 4 weeks now and the company are reviewing it on a fortnightly basis. He was diagnosed with asthma in January. If work decide they want some members of staff back in has he any argument to still stay at home because of the asthma? I’m worried about him going back.

OP posts:
eliope · 23/04/2020 10:22

It's a worry isn't it, can they ensure he can continue to work from home?

I was placed in the high risk category due to my asthma on the 23.3, sent home and furloughed. Yesterday I received a Drs letter notifying me that I have been moved into the moderate risk group due to new gov guidanceHmm
I'm going back to work on Monday. I work in adult social care.

Harakeke · 23/04/2020 10:27

How bad is the asthma? What is his GP saying?

My family member has moderate asthma (although there is a large variation within moderate). Doctor told him that as he is healthy otherwise and asthma is controlled he will be fine to work. He’s a teacher.

Watsername · 23/04/2020 11:59

I am worried myself. I am a TA in KS1 - I get coughed and snotted on all day. I am very worried about returning to school. I am not shielding, but received a text from GP saying I was in the 'more vulnerable' group, and that staying home was the best thing to do. I haven't left the boundary of my house and garden.

Original poster
Idontbelieveit12 · 23/04/2020 17:46

He cannot work from home due to the nature of the job. As it’s such a new diagnosis we aren’t sure of the severity yet, I would say mild-moderate? His consultant thought he had a life limiting lung disease and we lived with that worry for 2 months, he got the all clear from that at the end of January and then I’ve basically been worrying about him getting Covid ever since....

OP posts:
Bagelsandbrie · 23/04/2020 17:48

The asthma uk website has some good information about asthma and how severe it is in relation to Covid 19 concerns. If he is on a preventer inhaler and regular steroids and / or a medication such as Montelukast as well as a preventer inhaler (ie not just the blue reliever one) he has more reason to be concerned than if he is “just” using the blue inhaler to relieve symptoms.

Original poster
Idontbelieveit12 · 23/04/2020 17:54

Thank you. He has both preventer and reliever.

OP posts:
eliope · 23/04/2020 18:57

idontbelieveit I'd also get him taking an antihistamine daily too.

HermioneWeasley · 23/04/2020 19:00

It depends what his work is. I’m asthmatic - steroids, reliever and montelukast. I work in an office with good social distancing and I feel perfectly safe.

GoldenPoppy · 23/04/2020 20:53

Im a nursery nusre in a large pre-school room, I'm 1 course of steroids away from the sheilding list.
There can be no social distancing within my work place.
We are closed at the moment but Im terrified of going back.

Stellaris22 · 23/04/2020 22:09

I work in a small food store and have a mid dose preventer inhaler and have agreed to return to work after being furloughed for four weeks. I am worried but the GP who did the telephone assessment assured me asthma hasn't proven to be the risk people thought it was, so previously it's been over cautious with risk assessments.

My work have also put in measures so I don't do checkout work, so depending on what your husband does hopefully they can be accommodating.

FourTeaFallOut · 23/04/2020 22:18

Which particular preventer is he on?

Esptea · 23/04/2020 22:20

I'm an asthmatic teacher. I was sent home when the initial announcement came out that everyone who had a flu jab should be shielded but obviously now they've clarified what they consider to be high risk. I have a preventer and a reliever inhaler but the preventer is at a lower dose than that which qualifies for shielding.

The most recent advice for schools says even those on the moderately elevated risk group should be offered home working if possible. I'm worried though that they won't be able to staff the school once the kids start to go back and that I'll have to return. I just can't see how social distancing can be applied in schools though and I'm terrified. My asthma is well controlled at the moment but I have had spells where I've needed regular steroid tablets. I think anyone who has ever struggled to breath with asthma will be struggling to get their head around putting themselves at risk and going back to work.

Sandyjag · 24/04/2020 22:21

Sorry everyone struggling with this. So on the asthma uk site the initial distinctions have been revised and you now need to have frequent/continual steroids plus meds from their list to be ‘high risk’? Have the other distinctions been entirely removed (the lists of inhalers plus doses etc?). Following for child who wheezes (already a grey area). Concerned ppl with asthma doing ok as they are already hiding indoors so don’t show up in stats.

Keepdistance · 24/04/2020 22:49

I agree im crapping myself as even though my asthma is mild youare aware how bad you get with just normal cold flu etc. Also do not think it is reasonable to have to take the risk of lung/heart damage when i already have issues.
Im a sahp but agree when schools go back.
Tbh it's rubbish as they just dont know who will actually get it badly. Asthma still raises the risk (to pretty much the level of a 60/70yo but if youre young you have young kids etc.
Im not sure what asthmatic s and pregnant/ people with young babies will do when schools go back

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