Coronavirus - travelling to Thailand

[rebekah123]

Does anyone know if people with asthma are more at risk with Coronavirus? I’m Traveling to Thailand in June and it’s a worry. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks Becky

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

like with any virus, anyone with a long term health condition will be more at risk... esp resp conditions for this one... and we are more prone to complications if we do catch it.

If you’re controlled and not going to an infected area you should be ok... however if you are concerned I suggest talking to a pharmacist and getting their advice. Plus remember, in virus terms June is a long way away... things may change dramatically between now and then... it could be completely cleared up, or Thailand may be an area you can’t travel to... who knows at this point 😅

Hope that helps (tho very much doubt it does 😅🙈)

[rebekah123 in reply to EmmaF91]

Thanks Emma! Yes who knows what the situ in June will be... hopefully sorted out

[golden-retriever]

One more thing to consider is that you would be away from a healthcare system. If the hospitals in Thailand were to become overwhelmed, it might not be a good place to have a virus with respiratory complications.

From everything I’ve heard today, even though vaccines are about to enter trials, they will definitely not be available before a year at the earliest and even 18 months.

[golden-retriever]

And another thing to consider is that at some point in the next few months the virus will be widespread in communities. It’s not a case of if, but when.

So, the more time that goes by, the higher the chances of being on an airplane with an infected person. And as we all know, airplanes are the best way known to man for catching a virus - whatever one person breathes, everyone breathes.

[Wheezycat in reply to golden-retriever]

Apparently, so I have been told, it is not the air but all the surfaces many people touch that is the problem. Like fold down tables, overhead lockers, those trays we put our hand luggage in etc. None of it gets cleaned between each use as it were. Mind you if you get any virus it is the same difference, really. Still ill.

[golden-retriever in reply to Wheezycat]

It is the air. See my answer below.

[rebekah123 in reply to golden-retriever]

Thank you

[golden-retriever in reply to rebekah123]

From the US government CDC (Centers for Disease Control) website:

Person-to-person spread: The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person...

— Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet)

— Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

— These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nc...

[Wheezycat in reply to golden-retriever]

Sure, but not only. It is also what we touch, the stuff that air droplets may have landed on, and if people sneeze and then touch stuff. Etc. And, I think we all have believed that air on planes gets circulated, but that is not so. However if anyone with any flu sneezes all over you that clearly would be an issue.

[golden-retriever in reply to Wheezycat]

Yes, of course. Stuff you touch. I was responding to someone who said that it isn’t transmitted through the air.

[Wheezycat in reply to golden-retriever]

Yeah, that was me. I expressed it badly. I am totally with you re droplets. It seems the circulated air on planes bit that is a myth. That was what I was thinking of.

[johnsmith]

You want to look at this website. It reports on the Coronavirus and is continually updated.

nature.com/articles/d41586-...

it would be sensible to cancel the trip if it is possible. There is a possibility that places in Thailand will be placed in a lock down situation to try and prevent the spread of the disease. This will make business dealings difficult and holiday not so enjoyable.

Cannot answer question because the Coronavirus attacks the lungs and how bad the attack depends on the persons resistance to the virus.

[energy1]

Look on WHO website will have update and Gov.uk/ Coronavirus

[johnsmith]

Just found this.

virologydownunder.com/past-...

[Sunnydays1982]

I was due to go UK Thailand beginning of April and I have changed it to Dubai. I was getting far to stressed about this situation and I don’t want to put me or my family at risk.

I know Dubai could get affected but right now it feels a slightly safer option to me x

[Smoggy1990Boggy]

I wouldn’t be traveling there with a respiratory condition.

[Hidden in reply to Smoggy1990Boggy]

they need to put you on an inhaler or nebulizer

[Hidden]

no you wont be affected if your asthma is controlled

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

Even if asthma is controlled a respiratory virus can still hit hard, and probably harder than someone without asthma. I had asthma so mild I thought it had gone away, but catching swine flu 10 years ago really stirred things up.

There's no need to panic and hide in the house, but it's sensible for any asthmatic to take precautions with this kind of thing eg avoiding known affected areas, and being aware they might be more affected than the average person. Just like it's sensible to get the flu jab as an asthmatic, even if you are well controlled.

[Hidden in reply to Lysistrata]

yes you need to control your asthma and ask for a nebulizer that will help your asthma

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

In the UK it is really difficult to get home nebs of your only condition is asthma. If you need a neb you’re meant to seek assistance... only those with severe asthma and consultant approval should be able to access them as they can be dangerous to own without guidance

[Hidden in reply to EmmaF91]

hi emma i would advice you to by a nebulizer at stockwell station pharmacy they have loads

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

You can buy the nebuliser fine. You can’t get the nebules (the medicine like salbutamol) without a prescription. Most GPs will not prescribe unless they have a consultants approval as its dangerous to nebulise at home with no rules or regulations because people have literally nebbed themselves to death because they didn’t seek further help when it was needed.

I have a consultant and GP approved nebuliser (I’m a severe asthmatic on injections and maintenance steroids with both eosinophilic and atopic asthma and still had 10ish admissions in hospital last year despite it all) to also an agreed plan and list of instructions of when to seek more help

[Hidden in reply to EmmaF91]

hi emma dont take the injections go and by a nebulizer and get a medication that is called saline medication for the nebuliser and it should help please keep in contact with me many thanks anthony

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I have a nebuliser for salbutamol (as i said with multiple doctors permission including a specialist asthma con, my local con and my GP). Saline nebules make me (and many other asthmatics) worse as the salt in them triggers the reaction and flares my asthma even more. My biologic is the ONLY reason I can work and got by with only 10 admissions last year... before starting MABs I was in resus every 7-10 days and basically admitted every fortnight for 2-10 days.

Please don’t advise people stop the medications they are on without knowing they’re history. Please don’t tell people to take saline nebs when you don’t know how they will react to them. I sure you’re trying to help but please be aware some of your advice is potentially dangerous. I have a friend who is she has a saline nebuliser will go almost immediately into respiratory failure. Some people with asthma and excess mucus may fine saline helps but I’d advise discussing it with a pharmacist or your AN before trying it

[Hidden]

hi rebekah yes you will be at risj of the conorvirus becouse it comes from the infection in the chest and i would go and see the doctor straight away they need to put you on some medication