My son has severe allergic asthma and has just got a positive Covid result. He’s on day 4 of symptoms now and is doing ok. His temperature is now normal and it just seems like a bad cold. He is coughing. He’s aged 19.
Has anyone been through it that can provide any guidance/support? I am frightened and I think he is too.
I have read that it can get worse on days 5-7?
He only came out of isolation on 1st August and must’ve caught it almost immediately!
My sister had covid and it started with the cough and high temperature. About day 11 she got the breathlessness and her oxygen levels dropped to 82. She was admitted to hospital for oxygen treatment and discharged after 4 days. That was April and she is still struggling with breathing & fatigue. But this doesn't mean that your son's experience will be the same.
Asthma UK have advice here: asthma.org.uk/advice/trigge...
As for recovery at home, the NHS are launching a new website: england.nhs.uk/2020/07/nhs-...
Wishing your son a quick and full recovery.
There's reports (actual medical ones not media rubbish) that say that asthmatics haven't actually struggled because of asthma if they've had covid - so hopefully this will be the case for your son.
I know of a few asthmatics who are frontline staff so definitely much exposure to covid, had confirmed covid and were ok - and haven't suffered long-term like others with covid have.
Thanks for that, your positivity is much appreciated. I realise his young age and fitness are on his side too. His asthma seems to be coping well so far.
I had it for a month in April and was pretty sick but the shortness of breath didn’t feel that different than asthma. Just make sure he gets plenty of rest and fluids and keeps an eye on his vitals: pulse, breaths per minute (12-18 is normal), oxygen if you have an oximeter, and write down any other symptoms—sore throat, stomach trouble, headache, cough, shortness of breath etc—in case he has to go in to a GP. It does tend to get worse between days 5-10 but once he hits the two week mark after symptoms started he should be in the clear.
If he does have any shortness of breath I’d call the hotline immediately as it’s better to play it safe with covid.
Sending healing vibes!
I was really exhausted for weeks after the worst of the symptoms were over which a lot of people report. Hopefully as a young person he'll recuperate more quickly than me 
But if it's a bit like a rollercoaster, like he has a lot of energy one day then a return of symptoms and exhaustion the next, that's totally normal. This is a very weird virus, unlike any I've ever had.
I’m sorry to hear about your son, I’m aware this can raise anxieties for the person with COVID and their family members.
It seems people’s experiences vary greatly, a family member of mine aged 92, who is also asthmatic, contracted it (test confirmed) and only had the mildest of symptoms.
Try to follow the medical advice, plus trying to keep anxiety levels as low as possible. Focus on each day rather than trying to predict what might, or could happen next.
I hope your son makes a full and speedy recovery, don’t forget to look after yourself too.
My respiratory consultant has asthma and she was working on an acute ward - all fine!!! Do you know his peak flow target and are you recording it twice daily along with his O2? I've kept records for the past 4 months on her advice as you can see any trends or dips quickly.
Yes he is. He’s always between 550 and 600 peak flow. Even with covid he’s not gone below 500. His O2 is still 97%. He’s still coughing though. Thanks
Hi, I’m an allergic asthmatic and had Covid19 6 months ago. I found video below incredibly helpful in my recovery (and still use it today when necessary).
This is an illness that does vary, one day you feel fine and the next exhausted.
Keep a diary of symptoms and ring your GP if breathless (I rang 111 at the time, they were amazing).
Age is certainly by all measures a more significant factor than any preexisting conditions. I hope your son has a really speedy recovery.
Thank you. I will send the link over to him. He is a fit 19 year old, he played football only last Tuesday. I’m hoping that helps him. Thanks for your good wishes too.
That is a really helpful video, thank you. And to all the people replying here, you give a really balanced view. Keep posting.
Hi StanChad, sorry to hear your son has tested positive for COVID. I want to forward you a couple of links you may find useful. Can I draw your attention to the post we put out recently about being cautious using pulse oximeters - these are not recommended for asthma.
healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...
asthma.org.uk/advice/trigge....
Please don't hesitate however to give us a ring on 0300 2225800 or for the WhatsApp 07378 606728 Mon-Fri 9-5 😊👍.
Ps if he is under consultant care (you say he has severe asthma) it's worth his team knowing he has COVID, if they don't already.
Thank you. I don’t think his asthma team will know - unless his GP will have informed them? I will ring them today to advise. Thank you for the links too.
After 77 years of chronic asthma, I can tell you your son has a strong heart with the exercise it gets every time he has an attack, he is used to struggling to breath so will know how to cope , seriously hope his condition doesn’t worsen and he does recover fully, he has youth on his side
Get intouch with astma uk and speak to the nursed they'll advise you and also give you support. Have you got a good GP I suggest to have a talk with him/her see what they say.
But sorry to hear about your soon hope he gets better soon.
Good luck sorry can't help much more but if your on tweet asthma uk do covid information on there but give them a ring. They are there now until five pm Mon-fri
Thank you
How is your son doing now? I hope he is recovering well.
He is doing well. Whilst he’s been quite ill, so far, it doesn’t seem to have affected his asthma. He’s going for another test today as he’s a ‘key worker’ and we’re hoping it’s negative.
Yes. We’ve isolated him in the shed believe it or not! It’s a posh one and better than it sounds! His Dyson air purifier works better in there than in the house too. We have a pulse ox and oxygen is fine at 97% tho he did feel his pulse was fast yesterday - over 90? But it is hot here and he has got covid.
Heart rate tends to go up with fever. Lungs can get involved really fast so watch that pulse ox. Good luck!
How is your son doing now StanChad ?
Hi I live in Edinburgh and have had covid to, how are you and you're sin now? I caught it in march and I'm still ill.
My son is fully recovered. As are my elderly parents (aged 91 and 85). I do wonder (quietly) if this latest strain isn’t as severe as earlier infections. I’m sorry you still have symptoms. There has been a lot of discussion lately about ‘long covid’. The media only seem to publish figures now, not the personal stories they did in April/May. So it’s hard to know how it’s still affecting lots of people, even all this time later. I notice some medical professionals personally hit with long covid, all wrote about their experiences last week though. It’s worth a read if you google it. I know it was published in the Daily Mail last week. I hope you continue to improve and get fully better.
Thankyou for replying 😊 I'm glad you and you're family are well now. Thanks for the link I'll give it a try👍
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