Allergic Asthma a Protection From COVID 19?

Well, well, well, I never thought that my allergies and asthma could have a positive side - but apparently they do!

New research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health just released a study called "Respiratory Allergies and Allergic Asthma May Have Protective Mechanisms in COVID-19."

Huh?

How could that possible work??

You may have heard that those with asthma aren't getting as sick as we all feared we would with COVID19. Which doesn't make much sense - because those of us with asthma usually get REALLY sick with respiratory infections. 

Our family knows this all too well - 12 times in the hospital for asthma for Son #2 and Daughter Kitty is enough to last a lifetime!)

Reports from China showed that allergies and asthma were NOT risk factors for COVID19. 

Hmmm

Why?

Enter the ACE2 gene! 

I had a hard time finding how the ACE2 gene works in simple terms, but there was an explanation on Wikipedia (which I hesitate to use because anyone can edit  pages - but here goes! ) 

The ACE2 gene is an enzyme that attaches to cell membrane of the heart, lungs, kidney, intestines and arteries. Those with obesity and hypertension had an increase in the ACE2 level. 

They were researching to see if those with allergies and asthma had a reduced ACE2 level. They took nasal swabs or lower airway swabs from children and adults and found that those with allergies and asthma DID have lower ACE2 levels. 

More research is needed to see if there is another mechanism that seems to be protecting us from COVID.  

And they need to see if those with asthma who had COVID had allergic asthma. 

There is a big difference! 

50% of adults and 70-90% of kids have allergic asthma. 

Allergies and asthma are sometimes called "double trouble" because our allergies can trigger an asthma attack. And irritants can also trigger asthma attacks for us.

But those with allergic asthma seemed to be a little more protected from COVID19. 

Go figure!