People with Moderate to Severe Asthma

This information is based on what we currently know about the spread and severity of COVID-19.

Risk of severe illness from COVID-19

People with moderate-to-severe or uncontrolled asthma are more likely to  be hospitalized from COVID-19. Take steps to protect yourself.

Protect yourself from COVID-19

• Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as you can. Find a vaccine.
• Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth to help protect yourself and others.
• Stay 6 feet apart from others who don’t live with you.
• Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
• Test to prevent spread to others.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available.

Vaccine information for COVID-19

Follow your Asthma Action Plan

• Keep your asthma under control by following your asthma action plan.
• Avoid your asthma triggers.
• Continue current medications, including any inhalers with steroids in them (“steroids” is another word for corticosteroids). Know how to use your inhaler.
• Do not stop any medications or change your asthma treatment plan without talking to your healthcare provider.
• Talk to your healthcare provider, insurer, and pharmacist about creating an emergency supply of prescription medications, such as asthma inhalers. Make sure that you have 30 days of non-prescription medications and supplies on hand in case you need to stay home for a long time.
• Be careful around cleaning agents and disinfectants

Follow the recommendations below to reduce your chance of an asthma attack while cleaning. Follow recommendations for cleaning your home and in your facility.

• If you have asthma:
  • Ask an adult without asthma to clean and disinfect surfaces and objects for you.
  • Stay in another room when cleaners or disinfectants are being used and right after their use.
  • Use cleaning agents and disinfectant only when necessary. In routine situations, high-touch surfaces and objects might be cleaned effectively with soap and water.
  • Make a list of the urgent care or health facilities near you that provides nebulizer/asthma treatments and keep it close to your phone.
  • If you have an asthma attack, move away from the trigger, such as the cleaning agent or disinfectant or the area that was disinfected. Follow your Asthma Action Plan. Call 911 for medical emergencies.
• The person cleaning and disinfecting should:
  • Choose disinfectants that are less likely to cause an asthma attack, using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s list of approved productsexternal icon, such as:
    • Products with hydrogen peroxide (no stronger than 3%) or ethanol (ethyl alcohol). Ensure that products with hydrogen peroxide do not contain other chemicals that can trigger asthma attacks such as peroxyacetic acid or peracetic acid.
  • Limit use of chemicals that can trigger asthma attacks, such as bleach (sodium hypochlorite) or quaternary ammonium compounds (for example, benzalkonium chloride), and do not use them in enclosed spaces.
  • Follow additional precautions for cleaning and disinfecting places where people with asthma might be, to reduce exposure to asthma triggers.
• Use products safely and correctly:
  • Always read and follow the directions on the product label to ensure you are using it safely and effectively.
  • Wear skin protection such as gloves and consider eye protection to protect yourself against splashes.
  • Make sure there is enough air flow (ventilation).
  • Use only the amount recommended on the label.
  • Use water at room temperature for dilution (unless stated otherwise on the label).
  • Do NOT mix chemical products. Label diluted cleaning solutions.
  • Spray or pour spray products onto a cleaning cloth or paper towel instead of spraying the product directly onto the cleaning surface (if the product label allows).
• Store products safely and correctly
  • Store and use chemicals out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Label diluted cleaning solutions.
  • Follow EPA’s 6 steps for Safe and Effective Disinfectant Useexternal icon.

If you feel ill

Call your healthcare provider to ask about your symptoms. If you don’t have a healthcare provider, contact your nearest community health centerexternal icon or health department. Remember to call 911 for medical emergencies.

Take steps to help yourself cope with stress and anxiety

• It is natural for some people to feel concerned or stressed as more cases of COVID-19 are discovered and our communities act to combat the spread of disease. Strong emotions can trigger an asthma attack.
• For more information on coping with a disaster or traumatic event, visit
  • Stress and Coping | COVID-19 | CDC
  • Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event | CDC Emergency Preparedness & Response

Patient resources

• EXHALE Guide for People With Asthma, Their Families, and Their Caregivers pdf icon[1.5 MB, 8 pages]
• Allergy and Asthma Networkexternal icon
• Asthma and Allergy Foundation of Americaexternal icon
• National Environmental Education Foundationexternal icon

Additional resources for schools and childcare programs

• Information on operating schools during COVID-19
• Information on operating childcare programs during COVID-19
• For information on administering asthma medication in schools, K-12 Schools and Childcare Programs