Remember that asthma symptoms can flare up for a number of reasons, like seasonal allergies or an infection. You may be experiencing asthma symptoms due to an increased exposure to indoor triggers, simply because you are spending more time indoors.

Respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19 are very similar to asthma symptoms, like shortness of breath and cough. Evolving research indicates that the symptom which differentiates asthma from COVID-19 is experiencing a “new” fever. Fever has been most common of any symptom to date in confirmed cases of COVID-19.

If you experience a sudden fever in addition to respiratory symptoms, you should immediately self-isolate and follow public health guidance on next steps.

No, DO NOT stop taking your medications as prescribed by your healthcare professional.

Stopping or modifying your medications without consulting your healthcare provider due to concern about COVID-19 is dangerous.

Right now, it is very important that you keep your asthma well controlled, and sticking to the treatment plan prescribed by your healthcare provider is a crucial part of this process. This means ALL asthma medications, including biologics.

Both the Canadian Pharmacists Association and Asthma Canada recommend that Canadians with asthma have a 30-day supply of medication on hand, should they become ill and are unable to visit a pharmacy or healthcare provider to obtain more medication.

The Canadian Pharmacists Association does not recommend more than a 30-day supply of medication (unless clinically justified) so that all Canadians can access the medication they need.

They state: “As the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to evolve, pharmacists are becoming increasingly mindful about the need to carefully manage our drug supply to weather some of the long-term impacts of the disease across the globe. Canadians rely on their medications and pharmacists are working to make sure that every patient has access to their medications when they need it.”

Read their full statement here.

No, the current outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) does not require any change to what is normal good asthma control practices. People with asthma should be on a daily controller medication, so that they do not need to over rely on reliever medications. All people living with asthma should have and follow a written Asthma Action Plan and know how to use their medications accordingly.

You can use these resources to find out if your asthma is controlled:

• Know Your Asthma Red Flags
• Rate Your Reliance

If you have questions about your asthma, you can contact Asthma Canada’s Asthma & Allergy HelpLine free call-back service. Email info@asthma.ca or call 1-866-787-4050 to be connected with a Certified Respiratory Educator. 

*Please note we are experiencing slightly longer than normal response times, but will be sure to get back to you as soon as possible.

Yes! It is safe for people with chronic lung diseases like asthma to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Even though COVID-19 vaccines are being developed more quickly than usual, vaccine safety is still a top priority in all phases of vaccine development, approval and post-approval monitoring. While steps are being streamlined or overlapped, none of them are being skipped.

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccine safety, visit COVID-19: Vaccine Safety and Side Effects

Source: Immunize Canada

Yes. It is safe for people with asthma on biologic therapy to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The Canadian Thoracic Society and the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology recommend that:

• The COVID-19 vaccine should not be administered on the same day as a biologic therapy for asthma where possible.
• Patients with asthma should ideally receive a COVID vaccine 72 hours apart from their regular biologic, to make it easier to tell what injection may have caused a problem if the patient has a reaction.
• Individuals with a history of reaction to injectable medications, or a previous COVID-19 vaccine must advise the staff at the vaccination site.

Learn more here: https://cts-sct.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Final_Biologic-Therapy_COVID-19-Info-Sheet_EN.pdf

Source: Canadian Thoracic Society

It’s important that your child’s asthma remain in good control. A new study suggests that children with poorly controlled asthma are more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19. 

• Develop or update a written Asthma Action Plan with your family doctor or healthcare provider and make sure to share a copy with your child’s school and teacher. If your child doesn’t currently have an Asthma Action Plan, make an appointment with their healthcare provider to create one as soon as possible. Ensure your healthcare provider reviews your child’s inhaler technique.
• Always ensure that your child has their reliever (rescue) medication on hand at all times. 
• Ensure that your child takes their asthma controller medication throughout the year, even when symptom-free. Make sure you child is taking their asthma medications as prescribed and don’t stop unless advised by their healthcare provider to do so.
• If they are eligible, ensure your child receives their COVID-19 vaccinations.
• Identify your child’s asthma triggers and teach them how best to avoid them. Teach your child what to do in case of an asthma attack.
• Demonstrate correct hand washing technique and discuss the importance of frequent hand washing.
• Teach your children ways to cope with stress and anxiety as strong emotions and anxiety can trigger an asthma attack.
• Ensure your child, and everyone in your home, has received their influenza (flu) and pneumococcal disease vaccinations.