First Aid
This spring it is more important than ever to speak to your doctor to manage your hay fever and asthma and if your symptoms are new or different to usual – you must get tested for coronavirus.
Hay fever or asthma can produce symptoms similar to coronavirus such as a runny nose, cough or shortness of breath, and while good management can help prevent these, it is critical to get tested for coronavirus if these are different to your usual symptoms.
People who are sneezing and coughing from hay fever or asthma may produce more droplets and if they have coronavirus, it could spread quickly.
People with asthma and hay fever symptoms may also touch their face more frequently, increasing their risk of being infected with coronavirus if they are not practicing appropriate hand hygiene.
Grass pollen season officially begins on 1 October, bringing an increase in asthma and hay fever and the chance of thunderstorm asthma. Thunderstorm asthma is where many people experience asthma over a short period of time and is thought to be triggered by a type of thunderstorm when there are high amounts of grass pollen in the air.
Those considered at risk of thunderstorm asthma include people with asthma or hay fever, including those with undiagnosed asthma. The best protection is to have good control of your asthma or hay fever, and where possible avoid exposure to springtime thunderstorms and the wind gusts that come before them.
People with asthma, and particularly those with mild asthma, should see their GP to develop or review their asthma action plan and make sure any associated hay fever is well managed during the pollen season.
For coronavirus updates or to find out where to get tested visit the DHHS coronavirus website.
Your questions answered
Do I need to get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) if I have hay fever or asthma symptoms?
The symptoms of hay fever and asthma can be similar to coronavirus (COVID-19) and it can be difficult to tell the difference between them. It is important that you do not assume these symptoms are hay fever or asthma.
If you have symptoms that are in any way different to your usual hay fever or asthma symptoms – get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) and stay home until you get your results.
If you are unsure, you should get tested for coronavirus (COVID -19).
The best way to prevent symptoms of hay fever or asthma is to have an up-to-date hay fever or asthma treatment plan and follow it. If you don’t yet have a plan, now is the time to check in with your GP.
My coronavirus (COVID-19) test is negative and I still have hay fever or asthma symptoms?
If your coronavirus (COVID-19) test is negative and your hay fever or asthma symptoms continue, you should speak to your GP.
Your GP can help with giving advice on how to best treat your symptoms and stop them from coming back. You GP will also be able to provide you with an updated hay fever or asthma treatment plan, including when you might need to get tested again for coronavirus (COVID-19).
For further information, see https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/seasonal-hayfever-and-asthma-covid-19