Last updated on 07/07/2022

 

Long Covid and Asthma by Asthma Australia

Some people will still feel unwell for a long time after having COVID-19. You might have heard of Long Covid or ‘post COVID-19 condition. If you have asthma, it can be hard to know what is Long Covid and what is asthma. 

The time it takes to get better from COVID-19 is different for every person. Most people will get better within 4 weeks, but others may take 4 to 12 weeks or even longer. Some experts say Long Covid is when the virus symptoms last more than 4 weeks, others say more than 12. This makes it hard for doctors to diagnose.  

It is also hard to tell Long Covid apart from an increase in your asthma symptoms. The signs do cross over.  

Some of the more common symptoms of Long Covid include: 

  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing 
  • A cough that doesn’t go away 
  • Chest pain 
  • Fatigue  

These may sound familiar because they are similar to what people report as their asthma symptoms.  

Don’t assume that you have either asthma or Long Covid without getting checked. It is risky to let your asthma go under-treated while thinking you have Long Covid.  

If you are not getting better after 6 weeks of having COVID-19, speak to your doctor. Your doctor will likely do some tests to see if your symptoms are caused by Long Covid or asthma.  

There is no specific treatment for Long Covid (yet). Some things that may help are: 

  • Getting enough rest and sleep 
  • Supervised rehabilitation program: exercise and education program aligned to your condition and personal goals. This might include breath retraining exercises. 
  • Ensuring that your general health is preserved, which includes attention to your diet and nutrition 
  • Getting a referral to specialty services where needed e.g. 
  • Respiratory physician 
  • Allied health 
  • Multidisciplinary rehabilitation 
  • Cardiology physician 

We know COVID-19 can turn your life and health upside-down. If you need help, please call us. 

 

Contact 1800 Asthma

References:Â