Researchers found that self-reported doctor-diagnosed asthma was not a risk factor for infection, nor was upper respiratory allergies or eczema. In addition, food allergies were associated with a lower infection risk.
," biweekly nasal swabs and weekly surveys were conducted for six months with more than 4,100 participants from nearly 1,400 households.
Participant and household infection and household transmission probabilities were calculated using time-to-event analyses, and factors associated with infection and transmission risk were determined using regression analysis. Roughly half of the participating children, teenagers and adults had self-reported a food allergy, asthma, eczema or allergic rhinitis.Dr. Julia Caucino on preventative measures to take this allergy season.
Researchers found that self-reported doctor-diagnosed asthma was not a risk factor for infection, nor was upper respiratory allergies or eczema. In addition,"Asthma does not increase risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Food allergy is associated with lower infection risk, while BMI is associated with increased infection risk," the study’s authors wrote. "Understanding how these factors modify infection risk may offer new avenues for infection prevention.
Tina V. Hartert, who co-led the research, speculates that type 2 inflammation, a characteristic of allergic conditions, may reduce levels of a protein called the ACE2 receptor on the surface of airway cells.