Asthmatics (Sydney George)
Fact Checked Source: Asthma and Allergy foundation of America, "Coronavirus COVID-19:What People With Asthma Need To know"
On march 27,2020, The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America published an article which detailed what people with asthma should do to prevent their acquisition of COVID-19. AFFA Website LinkFive Facts Checked
In order to understand the full extent of the claims being made in this article, I have researched and verified five facts as they relate to the current pandemic.I was interested in this claim because it pertains to me as someone who has asthma. This can be confirmed by the website American Academy of Allergy Asthma and ImmunologyAn initial review of U.S. COVID-19 cases of people with underlying conditions shows that people with chronic lung disease, including asthma, are at higher risk of hospitalization for COVID-19.
Early data from New York state suggests people with asthma have a lower death rate if they do get COVID-19
I was interested in exploring this fact because it pertains to patients with asthma and how they will be affected. However asthma is under represented in New York which may affect the value of the data. This is discussed in the COVID-19 and Asthma article.
Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after coming in contact with the virus.
I was interested in looking into this claim because it is important that people with respiratory illnesses keep a watchful eye for worsening symptoms that may be due to corona virus. The CDC has confirmed this.
Symptoms can include shortness of breath or trouble breathing.I was interested in viewing this assertion because this symptom of COVID-19 is also a main symptom of asthma. The CDC has also confirmed this as true.
The virus is thought to spread through talking, coughing or sneezing. The virus will be in droplets that are coughed out into the air.
I was interested in this claim because it is relevant and important information that pertains to the spread of the virus. The WHO verifies this information.
Analytic Essay
Preexisting Medical Conditions: How Those With Asthma and Other Respiratory Illnesses are Dealing With COVID-19
There are several different perspectives to view during this time of pandemic that provide us with more context and information. Many people have preexisting health conditions such as asthma that make them more likely to develop serious illnesses if infected. The pandemic is evolving and new details are being presented as it progresses. This is a major source of apprehensiveness and uncertainty in this community. In the case of COVID-19, people with asthma are taking extra precautions to protect themselves and others from the virus. The CDC has also suggested a few methods that can be maintained to ensure that those who are more vulnerable won’t be exposed to the virus. Many individuals with asthma, like myself, and other chronic upper respiratory illnesses are struggling to understand the full extent of the pandemic and what this could mean for their wellbeing.
Because COVID-19 is thought to attack the lungs, individuals who have preexisting respiratory illnesses from across the globe have voiced their questions and concerns from a variety of media platforms. Many people are grappling with who and what to trust during this time, and it is important to do individual fact-checking. The majority of the circulating scientific claims about COVID-19 originate from recent research, which can be verified by reputable sources like the CDC and the WHO. By adhering to the advice of medical professionals, many believe that we can better prepare for the pandemic.Referencing the informative website published by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, many have asked what can be done to keep themselves safe. Those doing research regarding corona are still discovering more about how the virus affects individuals with asthma and other illnesses like it. This foundation values providing greater awareness to the asthmatic community and discusses a variety of CDC recommendations that should be adopted, including wearing a cloth face covering, and to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
In addition to these basic guidelines, the article emphasizes the importance of actively making sure asthma symptoms are under control which can be accomplished by taking daily medication. However, the potential for a rescue inhaler shortage to take place is one of the worrisome issues at hand. Albuterol is a common bronchodilator that I personally utilize when needed, which is used to manage asthma symptoms. If it becomes unavailable to those who need it, those with asthma will have a harder time keeping their symptoms at bay. One suggestion that is mentioned in the AAFA website is to not overuse your inhaler as it should last for months at a time.
There have also been recent implications of the Increased risk of hospitalization for asthma patients as well as those with other illnesses that greatly affect the upper respiratory system. There is underlying pathophysiology involved with how asthma affects the lungs and how complications can occur. Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways and remains one of the most common respiratory disorders in the US and In canada. Airway hyperresponsiveness, or the narrowing of airways which occurs in response to triggers like allergens (which is associated with immune response) and viruses like COVID-19. This can lead to belabored breathing and coughing episodes. Evidence also points to the prevalence of asthma increasing.
During this time, many people with chronic respiratory illnesses, or who have loved ones with pre existing illnesses have had quite an emotional response to the pandemic. In the news article titled a Piece Of My Mind, published by the JAMA Network, a health care professional details her personal struggles with assessing risk and obligation. In the op-ed, the author details an early childhood and adulthood as someone who experiences frequent asthma exacerbations. As a frontline clinician, she worries about her own safety as well as the safety of the patients she cares for. She feels as though it is a privilege to form a patient-physician relationship with people who face similar challenges. She fears that she is at great risk for developing life-threatening symptoms if she contracts the virus due to COVID-19 patient care, given her extensive past with asthma. With this depiction of moral obligation to her work as well as overall fear and strive for self-preservation, this passage reflects relevant thoughts, questions, and emotions of those individuals who suffer from chronic respiratory illnesses
In this time of uncertainty and pandemic, it is important to explore different perspectives to enhance one’s understanding. People with asthma and other chronic respiratory illnesses are at a higher risk for developing severe symptoms if they come in contact with the COVID-19 virus. This has been the basis of concern for many people who wish to protect themselves and others. Overall, this community of people chooses to trust CDC guidelines presented to them and continues to maintain habits that are pertinent to their health.