Coronavirus has been on an all-time high recently. While other people are getting exposed to the virus, people with allergies, asthma and breathing problems are not safe either. Allergist specialists explain things people with asthma and allergies should know about COVID-19.

What Is the Novel Coronavirus?

Coronavirus, a viral infection, originated and found first in China. It is a respiratory and immunity suppressing infection, which can be spread by physical contact or airway passages. The symptoms of COVID-19 include the following:

• Sore throat
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Difficulty in breathing
• Pain in the back region
• High fever
• At later stages, inability to breathe, which becomes fatal or people usually need a ventilator at this stage.

The population getting affected by the coronavirus can be of any age, but mostly sick people, old people, young children, and people with terminal illnesses are found to lose battle to the coronavirus after being infected. The mortality rate of the coronavirus is 2%, but if proper precautions are not made, then a lot of people can get infected. Common precautions of coronavirus include the following:

• Wearing a mask and eye goggles to protect your eyes and face, as they are the main routes through which the virus enters the body.
• Staying indoors and practicing social distancing.
• Working from home and self-isolation.
• Using hand sanitizers, in absence of soap and water.
• Washing your hands regularly with soap and water for 20 seconds after touching any foreign surface or object.
• Not touching your face or mouth with dirty hands.
• Not going to crowded places, as it can lead to major exposure.

The treatment of COVID-19 is symptomatic, and no such vaccine has been made yet. You can take paracetamol and painkillers to alleviate the symptoms. The virus usually goes away after a 14-day isolation period.

Things To Know About Covid-19 And Asthma/Allergy Patients

Here are some things you should know about asthma/allergy patients and COVID-19.

Use A Nebulizer

People with allergies and asthma already have a weak immune and respiratory system. Although there is no such evidence that people with asthma or allergies are at greater risk of catching the virus, one thing is for sure, that if you do get infected, then you will be at greater risk of needing a ventilator or getting greatly sick. So, this is where a nebulizer comes in.

Using a nebulizer will help you get oxygen to your respiratory tract. Nebulizer is basically an instrument which helps to give pure oxygen to you. It is usually a surgery-grade mask, with a solution at the bottom. The solution slowly diffuses and gives you oxygen. This is great for people who have breathing difficulties in general.

Wear A Mask At All Times

Wearing a mask can be hard for people who already have breathing problems. What most doctors suggest for patients suffering from asthma and allergies is to wear cloth masks. They are more breathable, and they don’t block air from coming in.

They are enough to prevent the virus from getting in you, but they will let you breathe easily. You are not allowed to go in public places, as the risk of exposure is high.

Make Sure You Have Your Inhaler With You

If you are asthmatic, your allergy doctor may have already prescribed an inhaler but once again, make sure you have your inhaler with you at all times. If you are suffering from any sort of seasonal allergies, then having your medication on hand, will also be helpful. Not having your medications or inhaler on hand, will be a hard consequence that you have to deal with.

Always be cautious of your surroundings and never take off your mask in front of people. Also, keeping your inhaler clean will reduce exposure from the virus. Small things like this can make a big difference.

The most important thing to remember is to keep yourself isolated and safe from the exposure, because allergies and asthma already mean that you have a compromised immune system. Moreover, if you experience difficulty to breath, get a COVID-19 test, if it’s positive, self-quarantine yourself and get the help of your doctor online. Go to a hospital if it’s severe. However, if the test is negative, it is the allergy or asthma. Visit an allergy clinic Manassas as soon as possible to relieve the symptoms.