Many people with asthma are wondering if they are more susceptible to COVID-19. Fortunately, there is no evidence to suggest that people with asthma have a higher chance of contracting COVID-19. The CDC states that people with moderate-to-severe asthma have a higher risk of developing a severe COVID-19 complications. However, there is not enough evidence to back this claim.
There is some good news! Previous studies reported that the protein ACE2 is a main target for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) to cause an infection. Smoking, diabetes, and hypertension are conditions that have higher levels of the ACE2 protein. These conditions are known risk factors for developing severe complications from COVID-19. A recent study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology suggests that people with allergies and asthma do not develop more life-threatening complications from COVID-19 because these individuals were found to have lower levels of ACE2. While larger studies are needed to support these findings, it is still very promising.
With this news in mind, it is still very important to have your asthma symptoms under good control. Cough and shortness of breath are common symptoms of asthma and COVID-19. This makes it hard to determine whether your symptoms are due to asthma and/or COVID-19. Therefore, you should continue to take your asthma medication as prescribed by your doctor and seek medical attention for any severe asthma symptoms. It is especially important this year to get the influenza vaccine as well.
To find out more about our services, or about how we can help if you’re suffering from asthma or breathing issues, contact the friendly staff at Oak Brook Allergists today by calling us at (630) 574-0460 or by filling out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you breathe much better.