Current status of nebulizer therapy in Tokyo: A single-center experience

Abstract

More than 2 years into the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, this infection has negatively affected patient’s motivation and behavior with regard to seeking medical care and has also led to significant changes in medical institutions and systems. It is known that COVID-19 affects the upper and lower respiratory tracts and that infection is transmitted through droplets and aerosols; therefore, procedures and nebulizer therapy that may generate droplets and aerosols are considered a predominant source of infection in otolaryngeal clinics. Consequently, nebulizer therapy was temporarily discontinued in clinical practice during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, nebulizer therapy has gradually resumed following better understanding of the evolution of the infection.

This paper describes changing trends in nebulizer therapy administered during the COVID-19 pandemic, the current status of this treatment, and infection control measures adopted at a local clinic in Tokyo.