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Saw this today if it helps anyone

LDloveslattecoffe profile image

Asthma UK website link action.asthma.org.uk/page/5...

has the following:

Shielding advice for very high-risk groups

Today the Government has released new guidelines for people who are at high risk of needing critical care if they catch coronavirus.

We strongly recommend you follow this guidance if you are in one of the high-risk groups.

We have had more specific guidance from the Department of Health and Social Care about who is in the high-risk groups. Based on this, our clinical leads have helped us to create the following list, which should help you work out if you are in the high-risk group or not. This list is the best information we have at the moment about who is at high risk. We will update it if we get any new information or if the guidance changes.

If you are, or your child is, taking:

Any biologic therapy, also called a mAb (Xolair/omalizumab, Nucala/mepolizumab, Cinqaero/reslizumab, Fasenra/benralizumab)

Steroid tablets or liquid every day

Antibiotic tablets or liquid for asthma every week (e.g. azithromycin)

Tiotropium

A combination inhaler that also contains a long-acting bronchodilator (e.g. Seretide, Fostair, Symbicort) at a high daily steroid dose (see the list below)

An inhaler with a high daily steroid dose (see the list below) AND you are taking Montelukast

Then you should follow the shielding advice, which means:

Stay at home at all times and avoid any face-to-face contact with others for at least 12 weeks.

Get food, medicines and other essential items delivered, and have the person delivering them leave them at the door. You can ask friends and neighbours to help with this, or use delivery services. If you can’t do this, public services and charities are gearing up to help people who have to stay at home. From Tuesday 24th March you can register for extra services from Government.

Use phone or online services to contact your GP or other services if needed.

Inside your home, minimise all non-essential contact with other people you live with.

People who provide essential support for you, such as healthcare or support with your daily needs or social care, can still come to your home. But if they have symptoms of COVID-19, they should not come. You should make a plan for how your care needs will be met if your carer becomes ill.

If you get symptoms of COVID-19, which means a fever or a new continuous cough, use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service or call 111 as soon as you get symptoms. Do not wait for your symptoms to get worse.

If someone else lives with you, they do not have to follow the shielding guidance. They should follow the social distancing guidance very closely and do what they can to support you with shielding.

If you are not on the medicines listed above, but any of these apply to you:

You have had an admission to hospital in the last year,

You have needed 2 or more courses of oral steroids in the last year, OR

You are using your blue reliever inhaler 3 or more times per week

Then you may benefit from stricter social distancing and shielding. If you are using your reliever inhaler more than 3 times a week we would also recommend that you speak to your GP or asthma nurse about improving your asthma control as soon as possible.

Social distancing advice for everyone not in the very high-risk groups

The Government has strongly advised that everyone reduce the amount of contact they have with others. This is called “social distancing” and it helps cut down the spread of the virus.

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LDloveslattecoffe profile image
LDloveslattecoffe
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17 Replies

See link for the table of medications. I am on Duoresp Spiramax and Monteleukast so based on this information I expect I will get a letter about Shielding or social isolation.

in reply to LDloveslattecoffe

Thank you.

LDloveslattecoffe profile image
LDloveslattecoffe in reply to

I'm waiting to be certain I get letter so shopping tomorrow but based on that expecting the letter now x

Ps I am well and controlled at the moment

in reply to LDloveslattecoffe

Me too, stay safe and well. X

LDloveslattecoffe profile image
LDloveslattecoffe in reply to

In November I ordered rescue pack because every year for last 3 years been really in Christmas and new year followed by another infection in March.

This year bypassed me completely at Christmas and this month so far but have that rescue pack still in cupboard if I need it x

in reply to LDloveslattecoffe

I have a confession - please don’t judge to harshly. But when I had flu, I landed myself in hospital sent straight from GP. (Nebs didn’t work). Hospital eventually sent me home on prednisolone and when I next went to pick up my next GP script- they had also prescribed prednisolone. So I’ve kept it just incase. Really hoping I don’t have to use it.

LDloveslattecoffe profile image
LDloveslattecoffe in reply to

That makes sense. December 2018 I got Moraxella Cattarhalis (was ill for 10 weeks) GP made me go to A&E as was affecting asthma Hospital gave me course steroids lost them in car on way home and mum went away in car for Christmas she found while she was away. I kept and ended up using in March 2019 when was ill again had been well for 4 weeks before got ill).

in reply to LDloveslattecoffe

I think we can forgive each other!

in reply to

What dose of Pred? I ask because if it is a high dose, it's not a good idea to take it long term I take 5mg daily long term (years as opposed to months) When I took 40mg daily over a 2 year period, I ended up with Osteoporosis and 4 vertebral fractures which still cause severe pain 4 years on. Try to get your GP to arrange a slow reduction to a safer dose. Take care.

LDloveslattecoffe profile image
LDloveslattecoffe in reply to

Steroid tablets or liquid every day not sure dose matters if you having to take every day is the point even if have break in between.

action.asthma.org.uk/page/5...

in reply to

I just have it for emergencies- not every day. X

LDloveslattecoffe profile image
LDloveslattecoffe in reply to

There is a wide range of inhalers on the list as well as Monteleukast tablets check out the link as has table of medications x

in reply to LDloveslattecoffe

I am in the montelukast and clenil categories. As well as hospital admissions and number of courses of steroids in the past two years - looks likely I will get a letter. I’m also a key worker in a care home. Have to admit I feel safer there in lockdown than anywhere else!

Fivefeet profile image
Fivefeet

This is what I’m worried about as am on titropium seretide immune suppredents

( methotrexate) steroids 40 mg at the moment take when peak flow drops below 200 montalukast and home nebs

Troilus profile image
Troilus

Thank you LD. I had been looking for this.

Nifflerluck profile image
Nifflerluck

Thank you for this.

Dixiegirlphyl profile image
Dixiegirlphyl

On Seretide 250 x2 twice daily + Montelukast .... umm maybe a letter in the post for me :-( . Though to be honest, this is the best year I’ve had, at this time of year, for the last 3 ! So staying positive. Stay safe everyone

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