What are the things you need to know about COVID-19 and asthma?
- Connection Between COVID-19 and Asthma
- Differences in The Symptoms of COVID-10 and Asthma
- When to Call a Doctor
- Safety Precautions for Asthma During COVID-19
- Treating Asthma During the Pandemic
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has definitely left people with worry about contracting the virus, especially for those who are diagnosed with respiratory conditions like asthma. This can be particularly troubling and alarming because asthma affects over 6 million children in the Philippines. Since COVID-19 and asthma both harm the lungs, now more than ever is the time to be extremely mindful. You can never be too safe, so ensure that you are following safety precautions to protect yourself and your children from the outbreak. Read on to learn more about the connection between COVID-19 and asthma and how you or your loved ones can cope with asthma at the time of the pandemic.
Connection Between COVID-19 and Asthma
Ang COVID-19 ay isang respiratory disease. Ibig sabihin, maaapektuhan neto ang iyong baga, lalamunan, at ilong. Ang mga tao na may asthma o hika ay maaaring humantong sa asthma attack, pneumonia, o iba pang malubhang sakit sa baga.
Sa ngayon, walang konkretong ebidensya na ang mga taong may asthma ay nakakakuha ng COVID-19 nang mas madalas kaysa sa mga taong walang asthma. Gayunpaman, ito ay parehong mga sakit sa paghinga. Para sa pinakamainam na proteksyon, pinakamahusay na gumawa ka ng mga hakbang upang mapanatili kang ligtas, lalo na dahil walang pang tiyak na bakuna para sa COVID-19.
Symptoms Can Be More Severe If Contracted
Dahil ang mga sakit na ito ay nakakaapekto sa baga, maging maingat at magkaroon ng kamalayan sa mga sintomas. Kapag ikaw ay nahawaan ng COVID-19, pagkatapos ng pito hanggang sampung araw: ikaw ay maaaring makaranas ng mga mga sumusunod:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Dry Cough
- Body aches and muscle pain
- Loss of appetite
- Shortness of breath
Ang mga sintomas naman ng hika ay:
- Chest tightness
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing and whistling sounds when you breathe
Maaaring maging mahirap i-differentiate ang dalawa dahil mayroon silang ilang mga magkatulad na sintomas. Siguraduhin na bigyang pansin mo ang mga symptoms. Ang COVID-19 ay karaniwang nag-uudyok ng lagnat.
When To Call A Doctor
What can you do if you catch a cold during COVID-19? If you are an adult, make sure to isolate yourself at home for at least 14 days to stop the spread of bacteria to your loved ones. But if you are experiencing cough, fever, and shortness of breath along the side, it's best to call a professional or a doctor for advice.
On top of that, always have stock of your asthma medication at home and make sure that you are consuming it as advised. Call a doctor right away if these don’t take effect and if you are experiencing chest pain, heavy breathing, confusion, and if your lips and face turn blue.
And in the case that you are hospitalized for COVID-19 while you have asthma, there is a high chance that your symptoms may be harder to deal with because your lungs will have a more difficult time functioning.
Safety Precautions for Asthma During COVID-19
Patuloy na inumin ang gamot para sa hika at manatili sa bahay hangga't maaari para bumaba ang pagkakataon sa paghawa sa COVID-19 outbreak. Sa kaso na kailangan mong lumabas, tiyaking nakasuot ka ng face-mask. Pinakamahusay na palagi maging handa at magkaroon ng 30-araw na supply ng pagkain at over-the-counter medicines at vitamins.
Sa kaso na gumagamit ka ng nebulizer o Salbutamol Inhaler para sa iyong hika, siiguradihin na alam mo at ng iyong family kung paano gamitin ang mga ito ng maayos. Mabuti na magkaoon ng stock ng gamot palagi para dito, at linisin ang mga ito para sa labis na kaligtasan.
Hugasan rin nang madalas ang iyong mga kamay nang hindi bababa sa 20 na segundo. Kung wala kang sabon at tubig, gumamit ng isang hand sanitizer o alcohol.
Panghuli, lumayo sa asthma trigger katulad ng usok, allergens, at air pollution. Kahit na ikaw ay ligtas sa bahay, mahusay na mag linis at mag disinfect parati ng mga high-touched surfaces, dahil dito sila matatagupuan. Disimpektahin ang mga:
- Tables and countertops
- Mobile phones
- Windows and curtains
- Light switches
- Keyboards, computers, and other electronics
Treating Asthma During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Asthma is managed by medications, which is why having stocks of your prescribed asthma medication is highly recommended during this time. However, anti-inflammatory over-the-counter medicines like Salbutamol can become the mainstay of initial asthma therapy at home.
And for children, Salbutamol Syrup can help relieve asthma, bronchospasm, and reversible airways obstruction by opening the airways of the lungs they can’t use as inhalers.
On top of that, always remember to boost your immune system with vitamins.
Key Takeaway
Dahil ang COVID-19 at asthma ay parehong nakakapinsala sa mga baga, dapat palaging mag-ingat sa mga oras na ito sa pamamagitan ng pagbabasa ng impormasyon at pag-alam kung ano ang maaari mong gawin upang maiwasan ang COVID-19 para sa mga taong may hika. Tiyaking sundan mo ang mga paraan para sa pag-iingat upang maprotektahan ka at ang iyong mga anak mula sa COVID-19 at sa paglala ng hika sa mga oras na ito.