Top 10 Tips: Asthma During the Coronavirus Emergency Care
While the coronavirus is a scary proposition for all people, it is particularly scary for those who suffer from asthma, as revealed in discussions over at frontlineer.com, as they are afraid that they could suffer a worse outcome if they contracted COVID-19. This is why this article, with the help of the gurus over at frontlineer.com, should be of great help as it will look to highlight the top 10 tips on how to deal with asthma during the coronavirus pandemic.
Know when to seek emergency services
One of the most important tips, according to the gurus over at frontlineer.com, as far as asthma during the coronavirus pandemic goes is knowing when you need to seek emergency services. As is discussed in detail over at frontlineer.com, the signs that you need to seek emergency services include severe breathlessness or wheezing, especially during the early morning hours or at night, if you are having to strain your chest muscles to breathe, low peak flow readings when using a peak flow meter, an inability to speak more than short phrases due to severe shortness of breath among others.
Know how to tell the difference between an asthma attack and COVID-19
As is seen in discussions over at frontlineer.com, COVID-19 and asthma have got lots of overlapping symptoms and as such it may be hard to tell if your symptoms are a sign of an asthma attack or they are indicative of the coronavirus. In most cases, telling the difference is a matter of looking for a fever since, while COVID-19 is usually accompanied by a fever as discussed over at frontlineer.com, asthma attacks aren’t usually associated with a fever. This may help you be able to tell the difference between the two, ensuring the you know how to react to your symptoms.
People with asthma are at a higher risk of suffering complications due to the coronavirus
As is discussed over at frontlineer.com, people with respiratory illnesses such as asthma have got an increased risk of suffering serious complications as a result of COVID-19. This is an important tip to note as it means that if you contract the coronavirus and you suffer from asthma, you should be extremely alert in case you suffer serious complications requiring you to call 911.
Alert emergency personnel if you have the coronavirus or asthma
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or you suspect you have the disease and you begin experiencing a serious asthma attack warranting emergency care, make sure you alert the dispatcher of the fact that you have the coronavirus so as they can have the responders and ER personnel take the necessary precautions to protect themselves while attending to you. As per the gurus over at frontlineer.com, you should also inform them that you have asthma if you are experiencing serious symptoms of the coronavirus.
Don’t show up at the ER; call in advance
As a means of reducing the chances of exposure to the coronavirus, it is recommended that when seeking emergency services, you call 911 rather than just showing up at the ER, something the gurus over at frontlineer.com are in agreement with. This applies to instances of severe asthma attacks, where you should make sure you call 911, rather than driving yourself or having someone drive you to the emergency room.
Stick to your asthma action plan
Now, more than ever, it is important that you stick to your asthma action plan, which is discussed in more detail over at frontlineer.com. The action plan will contain crucial information such as the medication to take, how and when to use your inhaler as well as your asthma triggers so that you can avoid them. Following your asthma action plan will help you keep your asthma in control, and as such will help keep you out of the ER. The action plan will also contain information on when you should seek out emergency services.
Have all the necessary supplies stocked up
Another crucial tip as far as dealing with asthma during the coronavirus pandemic goes is making sure you are well stocked with all the necessary supplies. This, as per the gurus over at frontlineer.com, particularly applies to your medication, where you should try and ensure that you have enough supply of your asthma prescription medication. You can contact your doctor and see if you can obtain an extra supply of the same, in a move that will ensure you don’t run out leading to serious attacks that may lead you to an ER.
Continue taking your asthma medication
As is revealed in discussions on the same over at frontlineer.com, there have been rumors that asthma medications suppress one’s immunity putting them at an increased risk of COVID-19 infection. However, there is no evidence supporting this claim and therefore you should continue taking your asthma medication, as if you stop you are likely to suffer a serious asthma attack. Inhaled steroids aren’t being absorbed systematically and therefore they are not able to affect your body’s immune system.
The ER is safe
Many people are suffering bad outcomes as they are putting off visits to the ER when experiencing medical emergencies such as severe asthma attacks due to fear that they may be exposed to COVID-19. As is seen over at the excellent frontlineer.com however, ERs and hospitals have got strict measures in place that will ensure that their patients are not exposed to the coronavirus and therefore you should not be afraid to call 911 when suffering an asthma emergency.
Keep your inhaler clean
Another very important tip as far as asthma during the coronavirus crisis goes, one that will help you avoid contracting the virus, is making sure you keep your inhaler clean. Other than washing and sanitizing your hands often as well as not sharing your inhaler as covered over at frontlineer.com, you should also clan your inhaler regularly with soap to ensure that it is not the avenue through which you will be exposed to COVID-19.
The discussion above only begins to scratch the surface as far as the above topic goes, and there is more where that came from over at the brilliant frontlineer.com.