Asthma and COVID-19: what you need to know right now
Shortness of breath – a common symptom of COVID-19 – may be especially alarming for people living with asthma. The two conditions share some of the same warning signs, so how can you tell what ailment is causing it?
By Nichelle Smith
nsmith@health.southalabama.edu
Shortness of breath – a common symptom of COVID-19 – may be especially alarming for people living with asthma. The two conditions share some of the same warning signs, so how can you tell what ailment is causing it?
“Pay attention to triggers,” said Robert Greer, D.O., an allergy and asthma physician at USA Health Mobile Diagnostic Center. “The most common triggers we see are viral upper respiratory infections and exposure to airborne aeroallergens such as pollen or dust mites. Weather changes – both hot and cold – can also contribute to asthma flares.”
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Signs and symptoms of COVID-19 that vary from the typical asthma flare include fever, fatigue, and loss of taste or smell.
Greer, who treats children and adults, said the most common question he receives from patients is, “as someone with asthma, am I at an increased risk to get COVID-19? And, if so, am I at an increased risk to then have complications?”
Recent studies have shown, Greer said, that an asthma diagnosis may just work in someone’s favor.
“Asthmatics are not necessarily at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 and they may actually have a slight benefit due to the inhaled corticosteroids used to treat their asthma,” he noted. “The best way to prevent complications from COVID-19, or any other viral infection, is to routinely see your asthma doctor and keep your treatment up to date and asthma under control. You want to be ‘firing on all cylinders’ so to speak to fight off these triggers.”
Greer graduated from William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Hattiesburg, Miss. He completed his residency training in internal medicine and fellowship training in allergy, asthma and immunology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss.
He is accepting new patients. The practice is located at Mobile Diagnostic Center, 6701 Airport Blvd. Suit A101, in Mobile. For more information, call 251-633-8880.
