More than four million people with Asthma are paying closer attention to their condition amid worries over the coronavirus epidemic a leading charity says.
Asthma UK says it has seen a 40 fold increase in traffic to its website as well as four-fold increase in calls; a three-fold increase in emails and a five-fold increase in use its WhatsApp advice service during the epidemic.
Around 5.4 million people suffer with the condition in the UK, an inflammation of the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs which can cause breathing difficulties.
Serious cases of Covid-19 can also cause complications with the respiratory system.
And the charity says an estimated 81 percent of sufferers have made improvements to their asthma management routine due to concerns over the virus. The claim is based on a recent survey they carried out.
Asthma doesn’t make people any more likely to contract coronavirus, however people who suffer with it could be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill if infected.
This is because when people with asthma get respiratory infections, it can set off their asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and breathlessness, and trigger potentially asthma attacks.
Those with the most serious cases of asthma, for example those who have recently been hospitalised or who are on strong doses of steroids or specialist treatments, have been told to 'shield' themselves from others completely for at least 12 weeks along with the elderly and people with other pre-existing medical conditions.
They are told to ensure they have ways of securing deliveries of medications and essential supplies.
The charity says "we know that shielding is hard. But we believe it is the best way to protect people who could become very unwell if they get Covid-19."
However for the majority of others, not considred "high-risk" - Asthma UK have issued the following advice:
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Take your preventer inhaler every day as prescribed.
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Keep your reliever inhaler (usually blue) with you at all times in case you get asthma symptoms
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Always follow the government advice - if you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay at home for 7 days if you live on your own. If you live with others, everyone in your household needs to stay at home for 14 days.
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If you have Covid symptons and your Asthma is getting worse ring 111
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If your asthma is getting worse and you don't have symptoms of Covid, make an urgent appointment to see your GP as usual
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Make sure you know how to get your medication if you are forced to self-isolate
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If you have Asthma but are not in the high-risk group, avoid unnecessary face-to-face contact with others, avoid groups or gatherings, and stay twp meters away from other people when you do go outdoors
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Write an action plan to help you know what to do if your symptoms get worse.
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Start a peak flow diary - it can help you track your own asthma and can also help medics assess you over the phone or video
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If you smoke quit immediately
Dr Andrew Whittamore, Clinical Lead at Asthma UK and a practising GP, said: “People with asthma, especially those with severe asthma, are vulnerable during this pandemic, so it is hugely encouraging that over 4 million people with the condition are paying heed to the advice and taking practical steps to manage their condition.
“Doing the fundamentals right, like remembering to take your preventer medicine every day as prescribed and keeping your blue reliever inhaler (usually blue) with you all the time, are vital actions for people with asthma.
"These basic steps are the best way to manage asthma against any asthma trigger, whether that’s coronavirus or more common ones like colds and flu.”
For more advice and tips on managing your Asthma click here.
