Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 27: In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic and the pollen season having set upon, Jammu and Kashmir Society of Consultant Doctors (JKSCD) today issued an advisory for the general public.
It said that a large proportion of our population reports seasonal symptoms related to pollen, the most common of which include itchy and watery eyes, nasal congestion, runny nose, persistent sneezing and in moderate to severe cases, wheezing and shortness of breath.
JKSCD said that all these symptoms are usually referred to as hay fever, pollen allergy or in medical terms, allergic rhinitis-allergic rhinitis is commonly associated with allergic asthma in both children and adults.
Pollen allergies, including mild allergic asthma have not been identified as a major risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection or, for a more unfavorable outcome in the studies available so far.
“However, public should be aware that any moderate to severe asthma, irrespective of trigger, where patient needs daily treatment is included in the list of chronic lung conditions that predispose to severe SARS-CoV-2 disease and subsequent outcomes. As such, with the onset of pollen season,” it said.
While outlining the preventions, President JKSCD, Dr Maajed Jehangeer said children and adults on maintenance medications for allergies such as inhaler, allergy tablets, should continue their treatment as prescribed by their doctor and should not discontinue their medication for fear of COVID-19.
“It is very possible to have asymptomatic or almost asymptomatic COVID-19 and to mistake it for seasonal rhinitis/hay fever. Therefore, patients with hay fever should keep their symptoms under the best possible control and that means using intranasal corticosteroid inhalers and other medicines as prescribed by their doctor,” he said.
He further said: “If someone with hay fever/pollen allergy develops symptoms compatible with COVID-19, they will need to self-isolate, inform their doctor and monitor their health as everyone else. If progressive breathing difficulty develops prompt medical assistance should be sought.”
“However, please continue to follow the general guidance for physical distancing, wash your hands frequently with soap and water, avoid touching your face and see a doctor non-urgently. However, if symptoms get worse, or there is fever and/or progressive difficulty breathing seek urgent medical care,” he said.
Dr Masood Rashid, Spokesperson JKSCD has requested the administration to provide free masks to all patients who seek medical advice in health set-up but are not wearing one.
“It has now been scientifically confirmed that if both a COVID-19 positive patient and his/her casual contact are wearing a mask the risk of transmission of the virus is very low,” he said.
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