How should people with lung issues deal with COVID-19?

During the COVID-19 outbreak, there is a special group of people who are much more susceptible to the virus than others - patients with chronic lung diseases like asthma.

So how can these people avoid getting infected? Dr. Zhi Xiuyi, director of Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Center at the Beijing-based Capital Medical University, offered his suggestions:

1. Try to avoid going to hospitals during the epidemic, and instead keep in touch with the doctors through online services.

2. Do not change treatment plans or medication without consulting doctors;

3. Strictly follow the basic advice such as reducing outdoor activities, wearing masks and washing hands frequently and carefully.

For these people, going outdoors, especially to hospitals, will add to the risk of cross infection and inducing asthma, while reducing exposure to possible pathogens will not only protect them from the novel coronavirus, but also prevent the induction of other lung diseases, Dr. Zhi explained.

Why are lungs so sensitive to epidemics?

From SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) to COVID-19, all emerging epidemics seem to be lung diseases. Why is that?

Dr. Zhi said that the lung is an open organ that connects the body with the atmosphere, and it plays a crucial role in the metabolism of the body. Therefore, when a new respiratory virus emerges, the lung is most likely to encounter the virus and suffers damage.

The analysis of confirmed cases has shown that people with underlying diseases, especially lung diseases, are at a higher risk of getting infected with COVID-19. Therefore, such people should be more cautious, try to avoid exposure to any pathogens and take care of their underlying diseases.