Understanding Asthma UK advice about distinguishing between different symptoms

[TabKit]

Hello, I hope people are doing ok.

I am confused by some of the asthma UK videos. In one they say take your peak flow so you can tell if it's asthma or covid, and they have sent through the table of differing symptoms (cold/flu/asthma/covid etx).

However I thought the whole point is that these things exacerbate asthma and bring on asthma. That's certainly my experience.

I guess the difference is if you have a temperature...

But surely having covid would reduce your peak flow, if it makes you breathless and coughing. Whereas asthma uk says taking your peak flow is helpful.

I guess I find it hard to understand all this - if anyone has any good ideas at explaining these differences I'd be really grateful!

Thanks so much.

[Tugun]

Hi TabKit,

I am no doctor and I don't regularly take my peak flow - I should. However if you regularly take your peak flow then you would have a very good idea of where your "normal' is. If you took it at different times of the day and maybe before and after your daily medicine, then you would have a good idea of what your "healthy" is. Once you have a good idea of your peak flow during the day - stick to one time frame and take it at that time daily or every couple of days.

The next is for me only - not you - as we are all different and have different symptoms and triggers.

When I come down with a chest infection, I feel it first around my breast bone. It feels a bit tight there but if a doctor checked me they would hear nothing different. I know however that I am coming down with something. The glands of my neck become tender. These are warning signs to me to start taking my vitamins/ rest/ keep warm. Sometimes this works for me, sometimes it doesn't. The next stage is when that tightness becomes very tight and then a definite cough and I get the full thing.

Asthma UK wants you to keep an eye on your regular peak flow so you can immediately tell if it is getting worse. This will help you to keep an eye on things.

It could be allergy. It could be a cold. It could be the normal flu - as this is also around. You are right that Covid-19 will also have a high temperature - but so can the flu.

Basically if your peak flow drops significantly from your "normal" and you are feeling unwell see the doctor. They can then sort out whether it is significant or not and give you appropriate medicine.

I hope this wasn't too boring and I wish you all the best during this time.

[TabKit in reply to Tugun]

Dear Tugun,

Thank you so much- that's a very clear and well phrased reply and not boring at all! Your advice is really good and I will stick to it.

Take good care.

[Tugun in reply to TabKit]

Hi,

Glad it was helpful TabKit. All the best.

[Poobah]

I've already looked at the 111 Covid-19 Web pages. One of the symptoms that require 999 action is breathlessness where you can't get your words out. To asthmatics that sounds like an asthma attack. I assume though, as an asthmatic rather than a health care professional, that an asthma attack would respond to asthma meds to some degree, whereas anything else wouldn't.

Even as asthmatics we are supposed to remain at home with mild to moderate symptoms of Covid-19. There's no treatment that a GP can provide hence the advice to stay home. Only if the symptoms become accute should we seek emergency help.

And moderate symptoms can be horrible - using the word moderate doesn't convey the reality of the symptoms.

If you think that you are suffering with Covid-19 then definitely use the 111 Covid-19 Web page.

[TabKit in reply to Poobah]

Hello. Yes that sounds sensible. If asthma medecine helps, that will help decide what's going on. Sounds obvious when you write it down, but somehow doing that helps process the facts and makes it clearer in my mind! Thank you and every one who is sharing here

[Poobah in reply to TabKit]

It's very difficult to make reasonable decisions when you're not well. That's why asthma plans are so important. Maybe we should have a Covid-19 plan! Definitely a good idea to have everything planned just in case.

Stay well, stay safe.