COVID-19 support guide for patients with respiratory conditions
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COVID-19 support
guide for patients with
respiratory conditions
Provided as a service to medicine by Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe BV.
Just to say we’re here for you... The COVID-19 pandemic is a challenging time for many, especially for those with an underlying respiratory illness such as asthma, COPD or cystic fibrosis. We want you to know that you are not alone in this and want to give you as much support as we can in these trying times. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to give you some more information and reassurance on living with a respiratory condition in a COVID-19 world. COPD: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
About COVID-19 My respiratory condition
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus: Sars-Cov-2.1 Anyone can and COVID-19
become infected with Sars-Cov-2 and then develop COVID-19, it can be transmitted
through close contact with another person or through the air in small liquid particles (such COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, so it is important to understand the differences between
as a cough or sneeze).2 Symptoms range from none, to mild, to severe.3 the symptoms of your condition and COVID-19.
You may have heard people use the terms Below are some of the common symptoms seen in COVID-19*1
COVID-19 and coronavirus interchangeably.
‘COVID-19’ refers to the description of
disease: COronaVIrus Disease of 2019.
Coronavirus is the family name of viruses
that Sars-Cov-2 belongs to. Loss of taste
Fever Dry cough Fatigue
or smell
Am I considered
high risk? Shortness Loss of
Diarrhoea Dizziness
The European Centre for Disease Prevention of breath appetite
and Control (ECDC) has defined people with
chronic respiratory disease as a ‘high risk’ group
for COVID-19.4 However, what qualifies as a
chronic respiratory disease has not been outlined If you are worried that you might have COVID-19,
by the ECDC, if you are unsure as to whether you are you may be able to order a test, if you cannot
considered to be high risk, please speak with your
doctor. This doesn’t mean that you are more likely to catch
order one please speak with your doctor.
COVID-19; it does mean that if you catch it you may be more *Not all symptoms shown above are always seen in COVID-19;
at risk of complications or severe symptoms. other symptoms may occur that are not listed here
Frequently asked questions specific to COVID-19 & respiratory conditions
Wearing If you feel that wearing a mask
significantly affects your breathing, Keeping Your health isn’t just about your
physical wellbeing. Keeping on top of
a mask speak to your healthcare professional. your your mental health is important too.
mental
health
The ECDC recommends wearing a face mask when There are places where you can find support for helping
out in public,5 and many EU countries currently to manage any mental health issues listed later in the
have a mask mandate in place, however some also booklet. You can speak with a healthcare professional
allow exemptions for those with some underlying
medical issues.6 If you have concerns about wearing in mind if you are struggling with your mental health.7
a mask in public, please consult your doctor. Whatever your concerns are about your mental
health, it is important to remember that help is not
only there for when you feel you are in ‘crisis’. It is
important that you prioritise your mental health in
the same way as you would your physical health; by
taking the necessary steps to keep yourself well.7
What Even if restrictions ease, it doesn’t mean
that you’ll instantly feel comfortable
Keeping up Your routine appointments are likely
to be conducted over the phone rather
happens if socialising how you perhaps used to.
with your than in person, and you shouldn’t attend
any face-to-face appointments without
restrictions If you still feel uncomfortable with socialising in treatment confirming with your doctor first.
are eased?
an enclosed public space (such as a restaurant)
when restrictions start to ease, try meeting
in an outdoor space such as a park. Pharmacies will still be open to collect prescriptions, but
try to ask friends, family members, carers or volunteers
to collect medicines for you whenever possible. If these
options aren’t available, consider using a mail-order
for your medications if such a service is available to
you.8 Additionally, you could also get into contact with
your pharmacy to see if they can deliver to you.
Getting the Living with people that
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is set to be
one of, if not, the largest vaccine rollouts in
COVID-19 vaccine
history. We understand you may have some
questions related to the vaccine and have
tried to answer some below.
still have to go into work
How many vaccines are there? When will I get the vaccine?
1 The European Medicines Agency (EMA) 5 The order of distribution of vaccines If a person in your household has to leave home to go to work, there are some
has currently approved 4 COVID-19 will vary between countries, however precautions they can take when they get home to keep you both as safe as possible:15
vaccines for use in the EU.9 All of the the European Commission has
vaccines have been shown to be highly identified ‘persons whose state of
effective, which one you have will be health makes them particularly at risk’
dependent on availability. as priority groups for vaccine
rollouts,13 so your condition may make
Is the vaccine effective? you eligible to receive a vaccine
2 Trials of the vaccines have shown earlier than others. Please note that
them to be highly effective and that priority groups will vary by country.
their protective benefits outweigh
Remove shoes Avoid touching light Wash their hands and
To check if you are in a priority group,
potential risks.10 check your country’s guidelines or and bags and leave switches, door handles lower arms with soap,
consult your doctor. them by the door. etc. as much as possible. for at least 20 seconds.
Is the vaccine safe for me?
3 The vaccines have been found to be safe Once I’ve had the vaccine can
and effective in people with various 6 I go straight back to normal?
underlying medical conditions, including While it’s been proven that having
respiratory conditions,11 and the safety the vaccine reduces your chances of
of the vaccines are being very closely catching COVID-19, it is still unknown as
monitored.9 However if you have any to whether this also stops you from Change into clean Have a shower
concerns feel free to discuss these with being able to spread it.14 Even if you’ve clothes and put the used with soap, including
your doctor.11 had the vaccine, continue to follow the clothes in the wash. washing their hair.
rules and guidelines that your country
Can the vaccine give me COVID-19?
4 None of the vaccines approved for
has set in place.
use in the EU contain the live virus,
so you cannot develop COVID-19 If you live with someone who leaves home to work, make sure that their place
from having the vaccine.12 of work is aware of your condition or that you are shielding so that relevant
precautions can be taken to minimise the risk of you catching COVID-19.
Make the most Keeping Getting your daily dose of
fresh air can do wonders.
out of time your mind
Why not give meditation
a go? Yoga or reading,
indoors or outdoors
at home & body
can be refreshing too.
Focus on whatever
active
relaxes you and keeps
your mind engaged.
Exercise is extremely important
for many reasons, not just to
It can sometimes feel that you’re aid in your physical health but
stuck in a rut isolating at home. It may also your mental health.
be frustrating to see restrictions easing
for people that don’t have to shield.
Don’t worry, there are still plenty of things
that you can do at home to have fun.
If you want to try out some different things
at home, here are a few ideas. Some public
institutions, such as museums and art
galleries, have provided the opportunity
to ‘visit’ them online.
If you’re interested in trying something
a bit more creative, you could follow
an online tutorial to try something
you’ve always wanted to.
Try your best to stick to a routine Tips for WFH
The world seems to be constantly changing. Your work
life may be limited due to COVID-19, so keeping a routine
and sticking to it may be difficult at the minute. Beginning Take some holiday days for self-care. Just because you
to lightly schedule your time might help to bring back
some much-needed routine in your life and make you 1 might not be able to go abroad doesn’t mean that a break
won’t do you good.
feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day.
2
Keep your manager(s) up to date with your health status,
A schedule for the day doesn’t need to be specific, you both mentally and physically.
could block out time for doing an activity that ‘makes
you happy’ or is ‘creative’. Routine planning doesn’t
Try your best to keep work and ‘home’ separate. Working
need to be super detailed or thorough. Why not try to
wake up or eat dinner at the same time every day? 3 and relaxing in the same room can be difficult and
sometimes stress-inducing. If possible, try to keep work
and free time separate.
Try to get comfortable in your workspace. Using a spare
4 dining room chair as your desk chair isn’t always ideal.
Working from Moving throughout the day from a chair to your sofa
might help to improve your mindset throughout the day.
home WFH Set boundaries. Do your best to set a time to finish work and
Since many have made the adjustment 5 log off. Once you’ve reached that time, step away and take
the rest of the day for yourself.
from working in an office 5 days
a week to working in their house,
Take breaks. Don’t forget, you’re not constantly working
6
working from home has resulted
in people working longer hours.16 when you are in the office. You might make a drink or grab
a snack etc. Try taking small breaks to recharge every
It can sometimes feel difficult to couple of hours, you may find it very beneficial.
‘switch off’ when the workday is over.
Additional help
References
Mental health 1. WHO. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Available at: https://www.who.int/emergencies/
support
diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/
question-and-answers-hub/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses. [Accessed March 2021]
and support
2. WHO. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): How is it transmitted? Available at: https://www.
who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-how-is-
ittransmitted#:~:text=COVID%2D19%20is%20caused%20by,speak%2C%20sing%20
or%20breathe%20heavily. [Accessed March 2021]
3. CDC. What you should know about COVID-19 to protect yourself and others. Available at:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/2019-ncovfactsheet.pdf.
Mental Health Europe [Accessed March 2021]
4. ECDC. High-risk groups for COVID-19. Available at: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/
Mental Health Europe contains covid-19/high-risk-groups. [Accessed March 2021]
articles and support on their website 5. ECDC. How to protect yourself and others. Available at: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/
covid-19/prevention-and-control/protect-yourself. [Accessed March 2021]
to help people who are struggling 6. CNN. European countries mandate medical-grade masks over homemade cloth face
with mental health, as well as coverings. Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2021/01/22/europe/europe-covid-
Finding support providing a library information
medical-masks-intl/index.html. [Accessed March 2021]
Click
7. Cystic Fibrosis trust. What’s on your mind? CF and mental health. Available at: https://www.
about helplines and/or organisations cysticfibrosis.org.uk/news/cystic-fibrosis-and-mental-health. [Accessed March 2021]
here
You might be the only person you know that is considered as within various countries throughout
8. ECDC. KNOW, PREPARE, PROTECT Information on COVID-19 for people with chronic diseases,
their family members and care givers Available at: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/sites/default/
‘high risk’. During this time, it may feel that your experience of Europe. You can access this library
files/documents/Leaflet-Covid-19_chronic-diseases.pdf. [Accessed March 2021]
9. European medicines agency. COVID-19 vaccines: authorised. Available at: https://www.
COVID-19 has been different from your friends and families. www.mhe-sme.org/library/helplines. ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory/overview/public-health-threats/coronavirus-
disease-covid-19/treatments-vaccines/vaccines-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines-authorised.
[Accessed April 2021]
The European Lung Foundation has an index of European patient 10. European medicines agency. COVID-19 vaccines: development, evaluation, approval and
organisations to help you find patient organisations in your country. You can search for monitoring. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory/overview/
public-health-threats/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/treatments-vaccines/
mental health charities, vaccines-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines-development-evaluation-approval-
monitoring#scientific-evaluation-and-approval-section. [Accessed April 2021]
organisations and support 11. WHO. Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/
groups near you that can feature-stories/detail/safety-of-covid-19-vaccines. [Accessed April 2021]
12. European commission. Coronavirus vaccines strategy. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/
offer expert advice. info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/public-health/coronavirusvaccines-
strategy. [Accessed March 2021]
13. Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ. Available at: https://www.cfireland.ie/
about-cf/latest-news/cfi-update-information-on-covid-19-vaccines. [Accessed March 2021]
14. Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Coronavirus updates and FAQs. Available at: https://www.
cysticfibrosis.org.uk/life-with-cystic-fibrosis/coronavirus/updates-and-
faqs#Increased%20risk. [Accessed March 2021]
15. Healthline. You Can Still Spread, Develop COVID-19 After Getting a Vaccine: What to Know.
Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/you-can-still-spread-develop-covid-
19-after-getting-a-vaccine-what-to-know#:~:text=Experts%20say%20people%20can%20
still,helps%20protect%20against%20serious%20illnesses. [Accessed March 2021]
16. ITV. More than 40% of employees working longer hours from home, survey finds. Available
at: https://www.itv.comnews/2020-04-28/more-than-40-of-employeesworking-longer-
If you want to keep up to date about COVID-19, you hours-from-home-survey-finds. [Accessed March 2021]
can find regular updates at www.ecdc.europa.eu/en. © 2021 Teva Pharmaceuticals Europe B.V., Piet Heinkade 107, 1019 GM,
Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Date of Preparation: April 2021
Approval code: RESP-TPE-NP-00039You can also read
