1800 278 462
Asthma Australia has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation since it began in 2020.
If you have asthma and get COVID-19:
- Try to stay calm, most people will experience only a mild disease
- Let your doctor know, especially if you have any symptoms you are concerned about.
- Follow the information on https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/managing-covid-19/what-to-do
If you have uncontrolled asthma:
Research has found that people with uncontrolled asthma may be more likely to develop severe symptoms and be hospitalised. This includes people with asthma who:
- Have been hospitalised in the past 12 months
- Have needed a course of oral corticosteroids for their asthma in the past 12 months (e.g. prednisone or prednisolone tablets)
If either of these apply to you, talk to your doctor about how you can get your asthma under control to reduce your COVID-19 risk. For more information about asthma you can also call us on 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) or email asthmasupport@asthma.org.au.
What is good asthma control?
Good asthma control means you:
- Have symptoms no more than 2 days a week
- Use your reliever no more than 2 days a week
- Aren’t limited by your asthma
- Don’t get symptoms at night or when you first wake up
To learn more about good asthma control see: https://asthma.org.au/treatment-diagnosis/live-with-asthma/talk-asthma/
Asthma and COVID-19 Risk
A lot of research has emerged since the start of the pandemic, showing that people with asthma are not at a higher risk of getting COVID-19. In fact, some reports even suggest that people with asthma may generally be less likely to get COVID-19!
We now understand that having severe or uncontrolled asthma may be a factor that worsens COVID-19 outcomes. If you have recently been hospitalised because of your asthma or needed a course of oral steroids, you may have severe or uncontrolled asthma.
COVID-19 Symptoms
Most people with COVID-19 will only have mild symptoms. It may be hard to tell the difference between COVID-19 symptoms and your normal asthma symptoms. If you’re unsure and your asthma medicines don’t seem to be working as well as they should, talk to your doctor and get tested for COVID-19.
During the first week of having COVID-19, symptoms are often quite mild, such as sore throat, cough and fever.
Some people may have the virus and never show symptoms at all. The virus is most easily passed on to others during the first week of being sick.
During days 4–9 of feeling sick, symptoms can worsen, with more breathlessness and cough. Stomach symptoms (e.g. pain, diarrhoea) occur in around 10% of patients.
If you have COVID-19 and/or asthma symptoms, you may be able to see a respiratory doctor in person at a GP respiratory clinic, free of charge. To find a list of clinics in your state see: https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/coronavirus-covid-19-gp-respiratory-clinics
COVID-19 TESTING
There are several ways to check whether your symptoms are from COVID-19.
Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are the most common method for home use. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has published a list of COVID-19 rapid antigen self-tests that are approved in Australia.
There is also a page providing information on the sensitivity of the home test kits and which COVID-19 variants are found.
If using saliva for a COVID-19 self-test, it is recommended not to eat, drink, smoke, brush your teeth, or chew gum for 10-30 minutes (refer to the instructions provided with your test kit for the recommended timing) before collecting your saliva. This may produce an incorrect result.
Contact your local COVID-19 health department if you would like any further testing support.
COVID-19 VACCINES AND ASTHMA
Being vaccinated against COVID-19 is the best way to reduce your risk of severe disease
All Australians over the age of 5 years old are eligible to have a COVID-19 vaccine. If you or your child have asthma, you should feel confident to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
There are four vaccines approved for use in Australia:
Asthma Australia strongly supports the COVID-19 vaccination program.
If you have any questions, speak to your doctor or call us on 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462).
Easy Vaccine Access (EVA):
Have your COVID-19 vaccine and booster as soon as you can. Especially if you have severe asthma.
If you need help making a COVID-19 vaccine booking, SMS ‘Hey EVA’ to 0481 611 382. A trained call agent from the National Coronavirus Helpline will call you to help book your COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more about EVA here.
COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters:
Boosters help to maintain your protection against COVID-19.
You are eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose if you:
- Are aged 5 to 15, and:
- Have a weak immune system, or
- Have a disability with complex health needs, or
- Have severe, complex, or multiple health problems that increase the risk of severe COVID-19
- Are 16 years and older, and
- Had your initial COVID-19 vaccine doses (known as ‘primary dose course’) at least 3 months ago
An additional booster is now also recommended for people aged 16 and over that are at increased risk of severe illness. This includes people with severe asthma. People at higher risk of severe illness should have their next booster as soon as possible.
You can also choose to have an additional booster if you are aged 30 years or older.
The additional booster should be given 3 months after your first booster dose. You should wait at least 3 months after you have had COVID-19 to have an additional booster.
Last reviewed July 2022
Breathe Better Under Your Facemask
Over the past two years, face masks have become a staple of everyday life – serving as a welcome safety measure for many and even as a fashion item for a few. If you’re struggling to breathe with a face mask, you’re not alone – here are some breathing techniques to help.
Face Mask/Coverings- Tips to Ease Into Wearing One
Never before have Australians been faced with mandates on face masks/coverings and it can be both confronting and confusing for people with respiratory conditions. It’s deemed an effective strategy against community transmission of COVID-19, but we understand it’s not that easy for some. Here are a few tips to help
Cough Cough, It's my Asthma Not COVID-19
People with asthma can have a dry cough and having asthma often comes hand in hand with hay fever, which causes sneezing and a runny nose, similar symptoms to a cold. But how do you deal with having these symptoms amid a Coronavirus pandemic? If this is you or your child, here is how you can help support them in public.
Our Top Tips for Seeing Your GP During Spring and COVID-19 Restrictions
As lovely as spring sounds, it can be a difficult time for people with asthma. Many of us are finding our normal health appointments harder to access – particularly, if we are experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, runny noses or coughing that cross over with the symptoms for COVID-19.
Asthma, COVID-19 & Telehealth: The Doctor is Calling
It can be hard to communicate about certain health issues by phone or video feed. Asthma is different for everyone, and it can be daunting to try and communicate over the phone when you are experiencing asthma symptoms. But given the challenges of COVID-19, we’re helping you gain better outcomes from telehealth for asthma.
Nebulisers During COVID-19
Health experts believe the use of a nebuliser may have spread the UK variant of the Coronavirus to others through airborne droplets as a nebuliser aerosolises virus particles.
The Asthma Cough
Asthma cough can be challenging. It can be embarrassing or awkward to have an ongoing cough, especially amid increased anxiety over health during COVID-19 times. Here is what you need to know about asthma cough.
Mental Health and COVID-19
Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. During COVID-19, we’ve found ourselves physically distancing from friends and family, self-isolating for our own safety, out of work due to lockdown restrictions, and keeping our children home to partake in remote learning.
Still have more questions about asthma and COVID-19?
Speak to an Asthma Educator today by calling 1800 ASTHMA | 1800 278 462
They operate 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday to Friday, alternatively, you can book a call here and we’ll have someone call you back as soon as possible during business hours.
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