Dr. Jyotsna M Joshi, Dr. Ketaki Barve Utpat, and Dr. Unnati Desai summarise the key points from guidance sent out by various advisory bodies and societies on the management of chronic respiratory diseases in the current COVID-19 scenario.

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The current situation witnesses a global spread of COVID-19 disease. There are no vaccines available and there is little evidence on the effectiveness of potential therapeutic agents. In addition, there is presumably no pre-existing immunity in the population against the novel coronavirus and everyone in the population is assumed to be susceptible. However, a heightened susceptibility has been documented in the geriatric population and high risk groups which include patients with chronic respiratory diseases. Also, severe illness and death is more common among them.

The chronic respiratory diseases presenting to a physician predominantly include bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), post-infectious small airway disease and interstitial lung diseases. The optimal management of these conditions requires a holistic approach particularly in the current COVID-19 scenario. The primary goal of management is prevention and general care for COVID-19 disease and continuation of all medications for optimal control of chronic respiratory diseases unless contraindicated in moderate to severe co-existent COVID-19 disease, like systemic steroids.