

This may produce an incorrect result.Ĭontact your local COVID-19 health department if you would like any further support on COVID testing. 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. There is also a page providing information on the sensitivity of the home test kits and which COVID-19 variants are found. For more information visit our Colds, Flu and Viruses page, and talk to your doctor or pharmacist. These respiratory infections often have similar symptoms and can worsen asthma. These combination RATs test for COVID-19 and Influenza A/B (Flu), or COVID-19, Influenza A/B and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). You can now test at home for COVID-19 and other common respiratory viruses in the one test. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has published a list of COVID-19 rapid antigen self-tests that are approved in Australia. Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) are the most common method for home use. There are several ways to check whether your symptoms are from COVID-19. For more information visit our Long COVID page. Some people also use the term ‘post-COVID-19 condition/syndrome’ to describe Long COVID that lasts more than 12 weeks without being explained by another condition.īecause L ong COVID and asthma can be difficult to tell apart, talk to your doctor if you r asthma symptoms are not getting better or you’re still not feeling well. When people still have symptoms of COVID-19 after 4 weeks, this is often called ‘Long COVID’. While most people recover from COVID-19 within four weeks, some people may need longer. pain, diarrhoea) occur in around 10% of patients.

The virus is most easily passed on to others during the first week of being sick.ĭuring days 4–9 of feeling sick, symptoms can worsen, with more breathlessness and cough. Some people may have the virus and never show symptoms at all. 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.ĭuring the first week of having COVID-19, symptoms are often quite mild, such as sore throat, cough and fever. It may be hard to tell the difference between COVID-19 symptoms and your normal asthma symptoms. Most people with COVID-19 will only have mild symptoms. If you have recently been hospitalised because of your asthma or needed a course of oral steroids, you may have severe or uncontrolled asthma. We now understand that having severe or uncontrolled asthma may be a factor that worsens COVID-19 outcomes. In fact, some reports even suggest that people with asthma may generally be less likely to get COVID-19! To learn more about good asthma control see: Ī lot of research has emerged since the start of the pandemic, showing that people with asthma are not at higher risk of getting COVID-19. Don’t get symptoms at night or when you first wake up.Use your reliever no more than 2 days a week.For more information about asthma, you can also call us on 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462) or email. If either of these apply to you, talk to your doctor about how you can get your asthma under control to lower your COVID-19 risk. Have needed a course of oral corticosteroids for their asthma in the past 12 months (e.g.Have been hospitalised in the past 12 months due to an asthma flare up.Research has found that people with uncontrolled asthma may be more likely to develop severe symptoms and be hospitalised. If you have uncontrolled asthma and get COVID-19 Ask your doctor if these are suitable for you. Early use of anti-viral medicines can make a difference.Let your doctor know, especially if you have any symptoms you are concerned about.Try to stay calm, most people will experience only a mild disease.Asthma Australia has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation since it began in 2020.
