COVID-19 Pandemic—Allergen-specific Immunotherapy Positioning in Respiratory Allergy

Abstract

Globally, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has infected in excess of 55 million people and is associated with over 1.3 million deaths to date (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control data).1 COVID-19 is placing significant strain on all aspects of routine healthcare and has raised doubts over which management strategies should be maintained and which should be postponed. For patients with asthma and allergies, allergists are faced with finding the balance between the needs of the individual patient and the demands of public health.2 Understanding the differences between allergy and COVID-19 symptoms, and how to support patients with efficacious treatment is key to preserving favorable outcomes in a healthcare system facing myriad challenges.2,3.