COVID-19 - Asthma and Allergy Foundation

Cirrus Building, 6 International Avenue, ABZ Business Park, Dyce, Aberdeen, AB21 0BH.

Together we can help people with asthma breathe easy.

COVID-19 ADVICE

We understand that the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is causing anxiety for many people with asthma and long-term lung conditions who have been classed as “high risk” and may be having to self-isolate for a period of time. We want to reassure you we are here to support you every breath of the way, providing vital support on managing your asthma at this very difficult time.

Given the recent measures introduced by the UK/Scottish Government to slow the spread of the COVID-19 and consideration for the vulnerability of our service users and to protect the health and wellbeing of our team and help with containment, our staff are now working remotely.

However, I would like to reassure you that we remain committed to delivering our essential services and we will continue to provide support and advice on how to protect yourself, others and stay healthy during this period via telephone and emails. We will also continue to share resources and updates on our website and social channels over the coming days and weeks.

The most important thing to do at this time is to follow your Asthma Action Plan to reduce your risk of asthma symptoms.

Take your preventer inhaler exactly as prescribed.
Always have your reliever inhaler (usually blue) with you and use as soon as symptoms occur.
Make sure your inhaler technique is correct.
Recognise your symptoms, how to treat them and what to do in an emergency situation.
Avoid your asthma triggers. Remember some cleaning products and strong smells can trigger an asthma attack.
Take steps to help yourself cope with stress and anxiety as strong emotions can trigger an asthma attack.
If your asthma is getting worse and you have symptoms of COVID-19, please use the 111 online service or call 111.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call us on 01224 973001 or email info@asthmaandallergy.org.uk, our Health Promotion team is staffed by people with personal experiences of asthma and are on hand to provide every needed support.

ASTHMA ACTION PLAN

Please download this action plan; complete it; and keep it in a place where it can be viewed and/or retrieved.

COVID-19 FAQs

The outbreak of COVID-19 has undoubtedly brought about a time of uncertainty and anxiety for families managing asthma, allergies, and long-term lung conditions.

The following deals with some of the most frequently asked questions from parents and carers.

My child has asthma, should they be shielded?

Only children who have been specifically told by their hospital asthma specialist should be shielded.
There are an estimated 100 children with asthma across the whole of Scotland who need to shield.
The initial advice to parents in April 2020 that all children with asthma should be shielded was well-intended but in hind sight was not right.
We now know that COVID does not cause asthma attacks. We now know that when children with asthma get COVID they either have no symptoms at all or are a bit unwell with temperature and cough

My child has asthma, should I send them to school?

When schools open, all children who are not shielding should go
There are lots of different harms done to children by closing schools:

Not getting their usual education
Not seeing their friends - older children becoming lonely and anxious
Not exercising

The benefit from reducing children getting COVID is tiny and is dwarfed by the many harms

My child has asthma, should they get COVID vaccination?

At this point in time (March ’21) there are no children aged under 16 years being vaccinated.
Children are likely to be offered COVID vaccinations at the end of this year.
The vaccine is not yet fully tested in children but is expected to be very safe and will benefit the child, their older relatives and the wider community.
Children with asthma should still get their flu vaccine

Website by shmu.org.uk