Pros and cons of nebulizer treatment in asthma exacerbation during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Nebulizers generate aerosols and may potentially transmit respiratory viral particles including SARS-CoV-2. There is a great concern about the use of a nebulizer in the treatment of asthma exacerbations in the hospital or home setting during the COVID-19 pandemic and its use is not recommended unless essential. However, aerosol therapy should not be avoided in obligatory indications. Therefore, indications of nebulizer use during the pandemic should be evaluated on an individual basis in case of a severe asthma attack, and infection control recommendations should be followed by clinicians while using nebulizers. In this article, we aimed to assess the safety in addition to the "pro" and "con" sides of nebulizer treatment in asthma exacerbation during the COVID-19 pandemic.