Asthma and COVID-19

Do not stop a corticosteroid inhaler because of a COVID-19 diagnosis. Follow your asthma action plan, reduce spread to others, and seek early clinical advice if control is worsening or you may be eligible for time-sensitive antiviral treatment.

Both conditions may cause cough, breathlessness and chest discomfort. Fever, sore throat, unusual fatigue, body aches or a change in taste or smell can point toward an infection, while wheeze and a familiar response to reliever medicine may accompany an asthma flare. Symptoms alone cannot reliably separate them. Testing and clinical assessment may be appropriate, particularly when a respiratory infection is circulating or your breathing differs from its usual pattern.

Use controller and reliever medicines exactly as directed in your personal plan. Check inhaler technique and keep the inhaler and spacer accessible. Rest, drink enough fluid to avoid dehydration, and follow current UAE public-health advice about testing and limiting exposure to other people. Contact a clinician promptly if symptoms are worsening, asthma is not well controlled, or you have health factors that may make early COVID-19 treatment suitable. Do not start antibiotics or oral steroids unless prescribed for your situation.

Get emergency help for severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness, inability to speak in comfortable sentences, blue or grey lips, new confusion, fainting, marked drowsiness, or reliever medicine that fails to help as expected in your action plan. Urgent assessment is also appropriate when chest pain persists, you cough up blood, or a home oxygen reading is substantially below your normal level and remains low after rechecking the device correctly.

Be ready to describe when infection symptoms began, your test result, current medicines, reliever use and any previous severe asthma attack. Ask whether you need an asthma review, a change to the action plan, or assessment for antiviral medicine. Also confirm which changes in breathing should prompt an in-person examination rather than continued home monitoring.