How can an asthma exacerbation be differentiated from a SARS-CoV-2 infection?
An asthma exacerbation is difficult to differentiate from COVID-19 ARDS or pneumonia by the patient, especially if it is triggered by rhinovirus, or other common respiratory viruses, because both conditions have dry cough and dyspnea. The British Thoracic Society advises patients with asthma experiencing fever, fatigue and loss of taste or smell to alert their physician as these are indicative of COVID-19.128 The distinction can be made by the physician based on the presence of wheeze, which is generally (but not always) absent in COVID-19 pneumonia, as well as high-resolution chest tomography and viral diagnostic tests.108