When infected to what degree is the level of infection the key factor in survival compared to the level of asthma?

[aph68]

So we know the level of infection varies greatly, with some healthy younger people dying from a big hit and some vulnerable people hardly suffering due to a very small level of infection, but as an asthmatic I'd be grateful for any guidance re how much the level of asthma is a factor compared to the level of infection.

Say the level of infection differs on a scale of 1 to 10 where 1 is the lowest level, if I get an e.g. level 3 infection will my asthma shift my survival chances to those of a non-asthmatic with say a level 7 infection?

I class my asthma as mild - although I'm on Fostair I hardly ever need my reliever - although I'm concerned that any level of asthma means even a mild level infection might be hard to survive.

[Sparkywoo]

Ah the $60 million question! I often wonder the same, as I’m sure do the scientists

[Troilus]

I think the answer is nobody knows and as more people contract the disease the thinking changes. I saw a news item yesterday where researchers are now thinking that there may be a genetic link to the degree of severity.

[erifder]

Hi,

Listened to podcast yesterday which gave me a lot of encouragement. Interview was with chief medical officer for asthma. He mentioned no definite evidence but did suggest using prescribed inhalers used regularly as directed maybe preventative against C19. It’s around 11 minutes long and available on Guardian web site.

[Poobah]

I'm not sure if asthma is the overriding factor in what type of infection is contracted.

We know the virus attacks the respiratory system in some cases, resulting in coughing and/or breathlessness. In others there are no symptoms.

We have two cases in our family. Person one has fragile health and is over 70, in shielding group. Person 2 is nearly 50 but trains in the gym and has done mountaineering. Both contracted the virus at the same time. Person one had hacking cough, fatigue and oxygen levels of 88. Person two had breathlessness, describing it as being at altitude, no cough. Neither person had a temperature. Person one hospitalised, treated with oxygen and antibiotics, sent home after 4 days as symptoms "mild".

To me it's dependent on the level of infection and whether it's directly or indirectly. Obviously one's health is a factor but only one of many.

What is important is to practice strict shielding but to seek early treatment if symptoms appear. Family were told secondary bacterial infection has to be avoided, hence treatment with antibiotics.

[Kyl88]

THar would be so tricky to measure! But my partner had Covid in the early days. I was around him a lot. I hadn’t used my inhaler for over a decade as I was diagnosed with trigger asthma.

lol and behold, of course, I contracted Covid too and it absolutely floored me. Breathlessness and chronic fatigue for about 4 weeks before finally getting a preventer and a reliever inhaler and I feel much better.

Moral of this story is that, with good management, covid is beatable, but it’s clearly subjective and we should all try to minimise the viral load we get as much as possible.

Hope this helps in some way!

[ahfat41]

I also have mild asthma and on nexthaler fostair 100/6 twice a day. I was told to use my fostair as a reliever when required. Am interested to know whether you have a separate reliever inhaler as well?

[Carriejen]

From what I've been reading it doesnt seem to be the COVID-19 that's the biggest issue it seems to be when it develops into the secondary bacterial infection, or pneumonia? My dads wife had suspected covid and they gave her antibiotics after a week as a precaution and she recovered about a further week after that. I've also read recently that some scientist thinks that the infection could be worse based off of level of exposure, as well as the usual risks - age, underlying conditions etc