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MAY 2020

INHALER SHORTAGEASTHMA & ALLERGY AWARENESS MONTHAccording to the NIH, about 18 million adults in the United States have asthma, and of those, 10% have severe asthma. The CDC says people with asthma may be at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, because the illness can affect the respiratory tract - the nose, throat, and lungs - and cause an asthma attack. COVID-19 may also lead to pneumonia and acute respiratory disease, which can be more serious in people with asthma.

• Keep your asthma under control by following your asthma plan.• Know how to use your inhaler.• Avoid your asthma triggers.• Continue your current medications, including any inhalers with steroids in them. • Do not stop any medications or change your asthma treatment plan without talking to your healthcare provider.• Discuss any concerns about your treatment with your healthcare provider.• Make sure that you have a 30 day quantity of medications and supplies in case you need to stay home for a long time.

• As the number of COVID-19 cases increase, it is natural to feel concerned or stressed. Strong emotions can trigger an asthma attack. Take steps to help yourself cope with stress and anxiety.

Don’t panic. Check your inhaler to make sure it still has medicine.

If necessary, you can likely use your expired albuterol inhaler as it is probably still at least partially effective.

It is important that you do not overuse your albuterol inhaler, as one canister should last for months.

Contact your health care provider for other appropriate options available.

Having trouble getting an albuterol inhaler? The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology recommends practical ideas for coping:

ALLERGY Q&A

ALLERGY SYMPTOMS VS. COVID-19The main warning signs of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, are fever, fatigue, and a dry cough. Sometimes, it also causes cold-like symptoms like a runny nose. During allergy season, it may be hard to tell the difference between COVID-19 and allergies.

Allergy symptoms happen partly because of inflammation, that is caused by your body overreacting to things like pollen or mold. If you get allergies every year, watch for symptoms that are different from what you’ve had before.

COVID-19SYMPTOMS

ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

• Runny nose• Dry, tickly cough• Itchy or watery eyes• Congestion• Severe allergies can make you can feel tightness in your chest and short of breath, especially if you have asthma

• Fever• Dry cough• Trouble breathing• Body aches• Very sore throat• Fatigue that comes on quickly• Gastrointestinal problems like nausea or diarrhea

IS SNEEZING A COMMON CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOM?The new coronavirus doesn’t cause sneezing. But if you do sneeze, it’s important to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue to keep the virus from spreading.

ARE MY RED EYES ALLERGIES OR CORONAVIRUS?Only about 1% to 3% of people with COVID-19 will have pinkeye. If you notice that your eyes are red, the odds are that it’s not because of the coronavirus. Call your doctor if you have red eyes with other COVID-19 symptoms.

CAN YOU HAVE ALLERGIES AND CORONAVIRUS?You can have allergies and a viral infection at the same time. If you have classic allergy signs like itchy eyes and a runny nose along with COVID-19 symptoms like fatigue and a fever, call your doctor.

MAYTIP SHEET

While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. For those dealing with a chronic health condition and the people who care for them, it can be especially important to focus on mental health. Because of COVID-19 and social distancing – it is even more important to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Focusing on both the physical and mental health concerns can be challenging – but critically important in achieving overall wellness. Living a healthy lifestyle may not be easy but can be achieved by gradually making small changes and building on those successes.

If you are not physically present with your loved ones, be sure to check-in with them through video chats or telephone calls and be mindful of early warning signs and symptoms that indicate someone might be showing signs of a mental health condition.

Having a combination of symptoms (not just one symptom) that last longer than a few weeks may indicate that you or a loved one should contact their doctor or a mental health provider.

Problems with concentration, memory, or ability to think clearly

Changes in eating such as loss of appetite or overeating

Not being able to complete school or work tasks

Feeling overly worried

Feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or worthless

Sensitivity to sounds, sight, smell, or touch

Irritability and restlessnessLoss of interest in activities that are normally enjoyable & withdrawal from others

HERE ARE SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE:

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