Abstract
Asthmatics are at an increased risk of developing exacerbations after
infection by respiratory viruses such as Influenza virus (IV),
Parainfluenza virus, and Human and severe acute respiratory syndrome
Coronaviruses. Asthma itself, mainly when poorly controlled, is an
independent risk factor for pneumonia. A subset of Asthmatics can have
significant defects in their innate, humoral, and cell-mediated immunity
arms, and it may explain the increased susceptibility to infections.
With the current COVID 19 pandemic affecting millions of people
worldwide and with mortality several times that of seasonal Flu, it was
necessary to revisit this subject. The pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, the
virus that causes COVID 19, can potentiate the development of acute
asthmatic exacerbation with the potential to worsen the state of chronic
airway inflammation. The relationship is evident from several studies
that show asthmatics experiencing a more adverse clinical course of
SARS-CoV-2 infection than non-asthmatics. Recent studies show that
Dexamethasone significantly decreased mortality among admitted COVID 19
patients. However, the benefit of inhaled corticosteroids, especially in
asthmatics, is still inconclusive. Hence, while we are waiting for more
studies that further narrates the association between COVID 19 and
Asthma, individualizing asthmatics management among clinicians is
crucial to achieving adequate disease control.