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International studies show that the use of asthma inhalers can reduce the replication of the virus Most people with chronic asthma use inhalers. Photo: Fuentelatina.org / Courtesy
By: Special for Real America News 07 from January 2021
Contrary to what the health authorities have assumed so far, the population with bronchial asthma is not more susceptible to becoming infected with COVID – 19, what’s more, the new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology , points out that it is less so.
There are three hypotheses that explain why asthmatics may not contract coronavirus as explained by Dr. Eugene Merzon, director of the department of Care Managed in the health services of the medical insurance Leumit, who is part of the study.
The first is a physical hypothesis: respiratory allergy is associated with a large decrease in angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) found on receptors in the lungs. These are the same coronavirus entry receptors.
The second hypothesis is behavioral: people with asthma are more likely to suffer from severe cases of COVID – 19, by That, says the specialist, these people are also more likely to comply more strictly with the recommendations of the Ministry of Health, such as wearing masks, maintaining social distance and respecting hygiene.
The third hypothesis says that treatment for asthma with inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) could reduce the probability of getting the virus.
Merzon explained that most of the People with chronic asthma use inhalers and several international studies show that the use of asthma inhalers can reduce the replication of the virus.
Bronchial asthma and coronavirus
The study recommends that these patients continue to use ICSs during the pandemic and that doctors suggests continuing with asthma treatments according to current guidelines.
What the researchers do point out in their report is that, until now, bronchial asthma had not been properly analyzed regarding the coronavirus.
The study was carried out on the basis of population data from the Leumit health insurance, with its 725. 000 clients, and included everyone who has been tested for coronavirus from the beginning of February to the end of June, a total of 37, 569 people, of which 2, 266 tested positive.
Found to have asthma on the 6th. 75% of patients who tested positive and 9. 62% of those who tested negative.
The researchers also noted that their prevalence data for asthma were derived from inpatients, and that outcomes may be different in outpatients.
The study is also supported by reports from China and Italy indicating that few patients COVID – 19 suffered from asthma: in New York 9% of those hospitalized for coronavirus suffered from it and in Great Britain the 14%.
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