Does Prevalence of Covid-19 Change Management of Asthma in Children
Most common triggering factor of asthma in children is respiratory tract infection. In the times when number of coronavirus cases are on rise, the management of asthma in pediatrics age group was thought to become more difficult due to impending danger of acquiring an infection. However, good news is that asthma, unlike diabetes, ischemic heart disease, and hypertension, does not predispose individual to coronavirus infection, if all precautionary measures are taken. Therefore, in uncertain times like this, asthma should be managed according to the guidelines devised for the said disease. Long term use of inhaled glucocorticoids as a management of asthma results in decreased T-cells proliferation as well as impairment of their phagocytic properties. They also modify levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2). Such consequences of use of glucocorticoids predispose children to various infections. Despite of all these reasons, asthma is not the risk factor for coronavirus infection. Since prevention is better than cure, it is imperative to follow all the precautionary measures against covid-19. The practices may include regular hand washing, use of masks, limited outdoor activities, and avoid overcrowding. The factors exacerbating asthma, like smoke, dust, animal fur etcetera should be avoided as much as possible. For mild to moderate episode of asthma, short acting beta-blockers along with budesonide suspension, twice a day, are first choice of treatment. This combination may be repeated 4 to 6 hourly if required. Nonetheless, hospitalization should be considered if child is not responsive to medical management, is cyanosed or has oxygen saturation less than 92%. Even when coronavirus disease has complicated a number of medical conditions, the management of asthma requires following of standardized treatment protocol devised according to severity of the symptoms with which a child presents in ER. Source A Suggested Approach for Management of Pediatric Asthma During the COVID-19 Pandemic https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2020.563093/full?utm_source=F-AAE&utm_medium=EMLF&utm_campaign=MRK_1443314_61_Pediat_20200929_arts_A Image via https://www.mydr.com.au/asthma/asthma-in-children
