Hyderabad: According to lung experts, people with asthma and other lung diseases are at increased risk for serious complications from the deadly COVID-19. Severe COVID-19 symptoms are experienced by patients who are immunocompromised and remain vulnerable to respiratory failures.
COVID-19 causes pneumonia-like infection, with a range of symptoms from mild or absent in some to life-threatening in others.
According to American lung association, it is crucial for people with asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to keep their maintenance medication in hand during the time of COVID-19 pandemic.
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Such people should follow steps including social distancing and hand-washing should and must avoid any contact with infected people to help the cause. If lung infections increase it would stress the already overwhelmed health infrastructure seen in resource-rich countries.
Similarly, people who smoke and vape are also at the high-risk category when it comes to novel coronavirus.
"Cigarette smoking and vaping are linked to lung inflammation and lowered immune function in lung airways, both of which can increase likelihood of complications if exposed to COVID-19," the association said.
The coronavirus pandemic has infected more than 10,98,762 and killed over 59,172 people across the world. More than 2,28,923 people have recovered so far, mostly in China.
Harsh lockdowns aimed at halting the march of the coronavirus has extended worldwide as the deaths near 60,000 and new waves of US outbreaks pushed the nation's containment efforts to the brink. Despite slivers of hope in stricken Italy and Spain, the tough measures that have confined some two-fifths of the globe's population to their homes were broadened.
The new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.
More than 3,000 health care workers contracted COVID-19 and the government says 14 died of the disease. Among them was doctor Li Wenliang, who was threatened with punishment by police after publicising news of the outbreak but has since been listed among the national “martyrs.”
