The Asthma Society of Ireland has released a statement on what people with asthma should do during the coronavirus outbreak.
Those who suffer from respiratory illnesses like asthma are at high risk from cornoavirus because it manifests as fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. In more severe cases of Covid-19, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
If you have asthma, the asthma society offers a variety of ways to treat your asthma. This includes:
Take your preventive inhaler daily as prescribed. This reduces the risk of an asthma attack and reduces your asthma symptoms.
Have a daily asthma action plan that can help you see when your asthma is getting worse.
In case of an asthmatic emergency, always take your blue emergency inhaler with you.
Know your asthma triggers to avoid them as much as possible.
Be sure to use an appropriate inhalation technique.
Do not smoke and, if possible, avoid areas where there is smoke.
If you think your asthma symptoms are getting worse, contact your doctor immediately.
In worse scenarios ring 999 or 112.
People are advised to share this information with their friends.