During COVID-19 Pandemic, Normal Allergy and Asthma Medications Should Be Continued

During COVID-19 Pandemic, Normal Allergy and Asthma Medications Should Be Continued

Newswise — ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. (March 26, 2020) – In response to numerous inquiries from the public, the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) is providing guidance on the continued use of corticosteroids for patients with allergies and asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As spring allergy season sets in, allergy and asthma sufferers may be concerned that continuing their normal use of inhaled and intranasal corticosteroids may not be advisable during the pandemic. However, it is more important than ever for these patients to keep their symptoms well controlled.

The ACAAI has provided the following statement:

With the COVID-19 pandemic coinciding with the Spring allergy season, you may be concerned about using your intranasal corticosteroids for nasal allergies and your inhaled corticosteroids for your asthma. There is no data to suggest that continuing these allergy and asthma medications will have any effect on increasing your risk of getting the COVID-19 infection, or if you get the infection, lead to a worse outcome. It is important to control your allergy and asthma symptoms as they could potentially lead to misdiagnosis of COVID-19 if there were an overlap of some symptoms. 

If you have questions about your allergy and asthma medications, please contact your allergist or asthma specialist.

About ACAAI

The ACAAI is a professional medical organization of more than 6,000 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.