Jahnavi Sarma
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Inhaled corticosteroids, which are commonly used to protect against asthma attacks, also may reduce the virus’ ability to establish an infection.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still showing no signs of abating, the debate on what triggers severe complications continues. It is well known that the elderly and those with underlying health conditions like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease are at a greater risk from this disease. Many scientists also debate whether asthma can trigger these dangerous complications and the verdict till now was mixed. But many believed that it can be a cause because this health condition also targets the respiratory system. Now a new research says that asthma does not appear to increase the risk for a person contracting COVID-19 or affect its severity. Researchers say that there is limited data as to why this is the case if it is physiological or a result of the treatment to manage the inflammation. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology published this study.
Researchers Rutgers University in the US found that people with asthma even those with diminished lung function who are being treated to manage asthmatic inflammation seem to be no worse affected by SARS-CoV-2 than a non-asthmatic person. Older age and conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and obesity are known risk factors for the development and progression of COVID-19. However, asthma is not yet proven as one such risk factor.
Inhaled corticosteroids, which are commonly used to protect against asthma attacks, also may reduce the virus' ability to establish an infection. However, many earlier studies have shown that steroids may decrease the body's immune response and worsen the inflammatory response. Children and young adults with asthma suffer mainly from allergic inflammation. However, older adults who experience the same type of airway inflammation can also suffer from eosinophilic asthma a more severe form. In these cases, people experience abnormally high levels of a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infection, which can cause inflammation in the airways, sinuses, nasal passages and lower respiratory tract, potentially making them more at risk for a serious case of COVID-19.
In addition, an enzyme attached to the cell membranes in the lungs, arteries, heart, kidney and intestines that has been shown to be an entry point for SARS-CoV-2 into cells is increased in response to the virus. Researchers say that this enzyme may be beneficial in clearing other respiratory viruses, especially in children. But they also add that it is not very clear as to how this enzyme affects the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect people with asthma. However, older people with asthma who also have high blood pressure, diabetes or heart disease may have similar instances of COVID-19 as non-asthmatics with those conditions. Researchers say that more study is needed on this. They also add that future studies must address whether inhaled steroids in patients with asthma or allergies increase or decrease the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and whether these effects are different depending on the steroid type.
(With inputs from IANS)