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Hypotheses to explain the associations between asthma and the consequences of COVID‐19 infection

An allergic Thelper lymphocyte type2 (Th2) pattern of immune response plays a role in protecting against severe COVID19 infection, but the same immune mechanisms also increase the risks of longCOVID. This composite hypothesis arises from publications suggesting that increasing Th2 activity and eosinophil counts are associated with recovery from acute infection and that preexisting allergic asthma is associated with reduced severity of COVID infection. More recent studies have highlighted disproportionately more patients suffering from longCOVID who also have asthma and allergy. Investigation of the hypotheses could aid understanding of mechanisms and identify targets for novel therapeutic interventions both during acute infection and to prevent later sequalae.