The number of patients is increasing day by day
It is known that there are approximately 335 million asthma patients all over the world, and approximately 4 million in our country, and these numbers are increasing day by day. In our country, asthma is seen in 5-7 out of every 100 adults and 13-14 out of every 100 children. In other words, asthma is a public health problem that can be seen in all age groups all over the world. How the pandemic process and the COVID-19 vaccine will affect asthma patients and what should be done are among the topics that are curious.
Different individual factors can cause asthma.
Asthma is a chronic condition caused by narrowing of the airways (bronchi) due to non-microbial inflammation. Any one or more of these symptoms can be seen together in asthma, which is a disease characterized by recurrent and exacerbating coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing/wheezing or a whistling sound, and a feeling of tightness/pressure in the chest. Different factors specific to each individual (allergens, exercise, air pollution, chemicals, cigarette smoke, cold air, stress, etc.) may play a role in the emergence of symptoms.
Pulmonary function test gives important clues for diagnosis
The medical history of the individual is the most obvious guide in the diagnosis of asthma. However, a comprehensive physical examination and pulmonary function test, which is the most important test for the diagnosis of asthma, should be performed. Pulmonary function tests can be performed in the hospital environment, as well as remotely, thanks to new technologies during the pandemic period.
The goal is to control the disease
The goal of asthma treatment is to control the disease. Asthma can often be brought under control by determining common goals in asthma treatment and making plans accordingly, in cooperation between the physician and the patient/patient relative. First of all, it is important to identify triggers specific to each individual and to reduce exposure to these triggers, if possible, to prevent them. Reviewing diseases such as allergic rhinitis, drug allergy, nasal polyps, and chronic sinusitis that may accompany asthma and arranging appropriate treatments for these diseases are another effective factor in controlling asthma. The next stage is the planning of the appropriate drug therapy specific to the individual.
Asthma does not increase risk of COVID-19 transmission
The effect of the COVID-19 virus on asthma patients and how asthma patients should take precautions in this process are among the most curious subjects. Studies since the beginning of the pandemic have not found any data on an increased risk of COVID-19 in patients with asthma. However, it has been shown that the mortality rate associated with COVID-19 is increased in patients whose asthma is not under control. For this reason, patients who have difficulty in controlling their asthma should pay maximum attention to coronavirus precautions and apply to a health institution for treatment approaches to control asthma.
What asthma patients need to do to overcome the pandemic process with the least amount of problems;
• Regular use of drugs aimed at controlling asthma should be continued and should not be interrupted.
• Patients with severe asthma should continue their biological treatments and oral cortisone treatments under physician control.
•Written action plan for asthma attack (information about the treatments that the patient can start himself in case of an attack and attack management) should be given to each patient.
•Patients who cannot come to the health institution, do not want to come or are at risk of coming can be followed in centers with remote access technological infrastructure.
• Appropriate use of masks, protection of social distance and attention to hand hygiene should be continued uninterruptedly. It should also be kept in mind that excessive use of disinfectants can trigger symptoms.
• Asthmatic patients should also be vaccinated for influenza (seasonal flu).
Effectively taking all the precautions for asthma control during the COVID-19 pandemic period will lead to a decrease in deaths due to COVID-19 in asthmatic patients.
Allergic reaction is rare after vaccination.
Vaccines with various features have been developed for COVID-19 and these development stages are still ongoing. In this context, side effects such as local (in the application site) redness-swelling, fever and fatigue are reported against vaccines. In general, the development of allergic reactions to vaccines is rare, with less than 1 administration per 1 million doses. It has been reported that anaphylaxis (allergic shock) is observed once in 200 000 doses with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, one of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines that are not available in our country at the moment, and once in 360 000 doses with the Moderna vaccine. It is among the data that 81 percent of the cases who developed anaphylaxis had a history of serious allergic reaction before and 71 percent of allergic reactions with this vaccine were observed within the first 15 minutes after administration.
Those who have a history of allergic reaction to the vaccine, beware!
Considering the rare occurrence of anaphylaxis with the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine and the fact that COVID-19 infection is a clinical condition that can result in death, the vaccine can also be administered to patients with asthma, with the exception of the following cases. However, this condition must be diagnosed by a doctor.
- Those who had anaphylaxis with the first COVID-19 vaccine administration
- Those with a previous history of severe allergic reaction to any vaccine
- Those who are allergic to laxative drugs, depot corticosteroids and antacid stomach medications
Those with a history of allergies beware!
Regardless of the type of coronavirus vaccine, it is recommended that individuals with a history of severe allergic reaction report this situation to the vaccine administration team, that the vaccine should be administered in a health institution with emergency response facilities, and that it should be observed for at least 30 minutes after vaccination.
Source: (BHA) – Beyaz News Agency
