Recent data is suggesting that steroids might increase the shedding of COVID 19 comes from treating hospitalized patients with systemic steroids just for the viral illness. The use of steroids for treating other diseases (like asthma) was not studied.
Clinical practice involves balancing risks and benefits. Infection with COVID-19 is likely to precipitate an exacerbation of asthma. Asthma is a triad of bronchospasm, inflammation and mucus plugging. Treatment of all three components is required. I therefore am recommending patients with COVID-19 and asthma to continue inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators and mucolytics.
they absolutely should be continuing it. If you look at the data from china, asthmatics were not presenting to the hospitals there! I strongly believe that inhaled corticosteroids have a protective effect. We're already having great success using steroids and preventing intubation, but it is anecdotal evidence so far.
