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+233546829126Asthma Ghana seeks to find answers to the significant questions and challenges facing people with asthma.
During the first outbreak of COVID-19, Asthma Ghana sought to answer the question that was worrying many people with asthma and their families; am I more at risk of acquiring COVID-19? Should I self-isolate? And if I get it, will I die?
There were concerns that people with asthma are at higher risk of acquiring COVID-19, and of experiencing more severe complications, which were reflected in public health advice.
This was driven by the understanding that viral infections, like influenza and the common cold, trigger asthma symptoms and cause asthma attacks.But was this true for COVID-19?
According to an Asthma Australia COVID-19 survey, many people with asthma have been extremely anxious and have been taking extra steps to take their medication regularly, to self-isolate and socially distance, particularly following a tough summer with the challenges faced by people with asthma affected by bushfire smoke.
In the first weeks of the outbreak, Australians were consuming every available piece of information about the risk of COVID-19. A massive upswing in phone calls and social media messages to Asthma Australia led us to commission this important research for Australians. Now we have a consolidated report of all relevant international data available.
The global study by the George Institute reviewed 58 peer-reviewed publications from across the world, capturing the data of half a million people who have contracted COVID-19 who live in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
From the half a million people, 7.46% of those infected with COVID-19 were recorded as having asthma, with most having a non-severe form.
The findings from this study suggest that people with asthma don't appear to be at greater risk of acquiring COVID-19 than the rest of the population.
For people with asthma compared to those without asthma there was a lower risk of acquiring the COVID-19 infection (14%), and a lower risk of being hospitalised with COVID-19 (14%).
However.
If the illness does take on a more severe form and there's a need for hospital care, people with asthma may be more likely to need admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) and mechanical ventilator to support their breathing. However, this wasn't considered a statistically significant difference: a combined risk of this happening was low, at 13%.
The question that was worrying everyone, i'am I more likely to die? may be somewhat less concerning for people with asthma, with the risk of death being reduced by 13% compared with people without asthma.
Most people with asthma are not contracting COVID-19 and if they do, it seems they are equally likely to recover (compared to people without comorbidities).
Therefore, extreme precautionary measures such as self-isolation for 12 weeks may be unnecessary, and the current public health recommendations including strict hygiene, physical distancing, and staying home if unwell are appropriate for people with asthma.
Having concrete answers is reassuring but it's important to heed the data is historical, based on what has been, and it is not a forecast. There is no single accepted theory explaining these results and more research may be warranted.
So, whilst having asthma does not appear to be an added risk factor of COVID-19, from the available evidence to date, we don't fully understand the full reasons why.
Everyone must follow public health advice and take recommended protective measures for COVID-19, whether they have asthma or not. It's control we can all exert on an individual level and a role we can play on a community level.
And people with asthma should take steps to control their asthma as best they can asthma treatments don't seem to constitute risk in COVID and may even be protective.
For people with asthma, health-protective measures will also protect them from other viruses that may be circulating, which are usually problematic for their asthma control. It was pleasing to note a lower incidence of the flu over winter, which is good news for people with asthma.
Looking after your mental health with Asthma through COVID-19
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations.During COVID-19, we find ourselves social distancing from friends and family, self-isolating for our own safety, out of work due to the latest level of lockdown restrictions, or preparing for our children to partake in remote learning due to school closures. All of these scenarios have a deep impact on our health and wellbeing. This is particularly the case for people who have been affected by the recent bushfires, which may be compounding on their sense of wellness.
Remind yourself it is ok to not feel ok. You're certainly not alone.Â
What to consider: Risk & safety recommendations
People who have symptoms and might be infected with COVID-19 are required to stay in isolation at home and should wear a surgical or cloth face mask when in the same room as another person or when seeking medical advice, to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 to anyone else.
If you are in an area where community transmission of COVID-19 is occurring, you may be asked to wear a face mask when you leave your home. Wearing a face mask is strongly recommended outdoors when you can't keep 1.5 metres distance from other people.
In some states and territories, wearing a face mask may become mandatory for periods of time and/or in certain public places. Face mask exemptions do apply in each state and territory for people affected by a medical or mental health condition or disability that makes wearing a mask unsuitable.  It is important to stay across the advice for your area by checking your state health government website regularly.
People with asthma should continue to use their inhaled asthma preventer medications during the COVID-19 epidemic as prescribed.
Some sources have suggested that "steroids" should be avoided during the COVID-19 epidemic. This advice is not directed at people with asthma and their health professionals who use inhaled corticosteroid-based preventer or those with asthma who need to use oral corticosteroids to manage their flare-ups (attacks)
People with asthma should not stop their prescribed inhaled corticosteroid preventer medication and should not avoid using their prescribed oral corticosteroids to manage severe symptoms. Stopping inhaled corticosteroids often leads to worsening of asthma, and avoiding oral corticosteroids during severe asthma attacks may have serious consequences. Long-term oral corticosteroids may sometimes be required to treat severe asthma, and it may be dangerous to stop them suddenly. Always discuss with your doctor or nurse before stopping any asthma medication.
The corticosteroid in your asthma preventer inhaler doesn't affect your body's ability to fight against viral infections like coronavirus.
Keep taking your inhaled asthma preventer medication, and if your asthma gets worse, follow the instructions on your asthma action plan for how to change your asthma medications and when to seek medical help.
Medication Shortages
Asthma Ghana is aware that during the COVID-19 Pandemic there have been some temporary shortages of reliever medicines.
We strongly urge people to be considerate of their purchasing so that everyone can access what they need. Stockpiling medications is resulting in challenges for people to access vital medication and placing them at risk.
People with asthma are advised to have access to at least 30 days of prescription medications. Asthma Ghana encourages people to use a spacer with all metered-dose (canister) inhalers to draw maximum benefit from their medication which might also reduce the amount required and minimise side effects.
If you do not have access to blue or grey reliever medication and you are experiencing difficulty in breathing, call us immediately.
Online Ordering
Online medication ordering is available. To help you social distance and access medications, people with asthma can order reliever or preventer medication at some outlets, online. Note that dispensing restrictions apply to reliever puffers, one per person, and some outlets aren't offering reliever puffer sales online. It is always helpful to call your local pharmacy to check stock levels ahead and ask if they have an online ordering service. Here are some options we've come across:Â