MISLEADING: DO NOT SHARE

Claim:

People with mild asthma should take preventive medication against COVID-19.

Answer:

Misleading. This is not in line with Asthma UK’s recommendations.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The NHS states that people with ‘lung conditions, such as asthma, COPD, emphysema or bronchitis’ may be at increased risk from coronavirus. The NHS tells people with asthma to follow Asthma UK’s advice.

Asthma UK states that if you or your child is :

  • Taking ALL THREE OF:
    • a steroid preventer inhaler (at any dose)
    • another preventer medicine (e.g. you are on a combination inhaler, or take a medicine such as formoterol or salmeterol, or tiotropium as well as your steroid inhaler, or if you are taking montelukast)
    • regular or continuous oral steroids (which means you had 4 or more prescriptions for prednisolone between July and December 2019)
  • Or
    • have been admitted to hospital in the last 12 months for your asthma.
    • have ever been admitted to an intensive are unit for your asthma.

You should go into shielding, staying at home at all times and avoiding any face to face contact for a period of at least 12 weeks.

Asthma UK also advises people taking any of the below medicines to shield too:

  • Any biologic therapy, also called a mAb (Xolair/omalizumab, Nucala/mepolizumab, Cinqaero/reslizumab, Fasenra/benralizumab)
  • Antibiotic tablets or liquid for asthma every week as a preventer (e.g. azithromycin)
  • A combination inhaler that also contains a long-acting bronchodilator (e.g. Seretide, Fostair, Symbicort) at a high daily steroid dose (see the table below)
  • An inhaler with a high daily steroid dose (see the table below) AND you are taking Montelukast

If your asthma is getting worse and you have symptoms of COVID-19, use the NHS 111 online service or call 111. Don’t go to your doctor’s surgery.

Regarding medicating, Asthma UK states that people should ‘keep taking your preventer inhaler daily as prescribed, and ‘Carry your reliever inhaler (usually blue) with you every day in case you feel your asthma symptoms flaring up’.

It also advises everyone to stay at home, and ‘continue to wash your hands often, with soap and water.’

However there is no mention of taking antihistamines, putting Vicks around your nose, or UV exposure as preventative measures.

SOURCE

NHS: Advice for people at higher risk

NHS: Overview Asthma

asthmaUK: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Origins of Claim

FULL TEXT OF CLAIM

THIS IS GOOD ADVICE FOR ANYONE WITH ASTHMA. IT CAME FROM A RESPIRATORY NURSE SPECIALIST WHO ALSO HAS BRITTLE ASTHMA.

This is what is recommended as we face a huge rise in cases of Covid-19 and community transmission.

Even though you may have mild asthma and didn’t usually take your preventer – start now. Also start taking a daily antihistamine like loratadine or cetirizine.

Asthma UK also suggest that you – Carry your blue reliever inhaler with you every day, in case you feel your asthma symptoms flaring up.

Minimise exposure – if you do wear a mask of scarf wrapped round you. Put vicks at the entrance of your nose. Stay away from people. Hand wash/ sanitise regularly. Every time you drink and eat wash your hands before hand.

If you can – stay in doors. Although walk in the daylight ( uv light) helps as long as you are not with lots of people.

If your asthma is getting worse and there is a risk you might have coronavirus, contact the online NHS 111 coronavirus service.

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