With a fifth wave of COVID infections now threatening Australia, Lung Foundation Australia is urging people to protect themselves and loved ones.
Lung Foundation Australia CEO Mark Brooke said it was hugely worrying to see COVID-19 and flu numbers spiking just weeks into the winter danger period.
“Please make sure you are up to date with vaccinations, speak to your doctor about COVID boosters, flu vaccines, and for those living with a lung disease, it’s important to also discuss the pneumococcal vaccine,” Mr Brooke said.
“Recent studies have shown getting at least one dose of a COVID vaccine before you test positive for COVID-19 lowers your risk of long COVID by about 35 per cent, while unvaccinated people who recovered from COVID-19, and then got a vaccine, lowered their own long COVID risk by 27 per cent.”
And with the rise in long COVID cases now an increasing public health concern, Lung Foundation Australia has today released a comprehensive resource hub for people living with long COVID.
“Our long COVID resources are designed to help people navigate their long COVID journey and outline common symptoms, provide helpful self-management tips, treatment information and expert advice on how to discuss the condition with healthcare professionals, family and friends,” Mr Brooke said.
“We know many people are still unaware that long COVID is a very real condition, or even what it is, and our resources are a vital bridge in that knowledge gap.”
Mr Brooke said long COVID can impact many organs of the body and affects everyone differently. It is a chronic health condition that lasts at least three months in duration.
National President of the Australian Physiotherapy Association Scott Willis developed long COVID after contracting COVID-19 in 2020.
“This is not a fitness issue, it is a chronic disease and it must be treated like one to be able to function as near normal as possible.” Mr Willis said.
“I had to learn to live with it to continue to work, to continue to enjoy my activities, to travel, to socialise, to do what I love doing.
“I encourage anyone suffering from long COVID to seek specialist support to develop a plan that works for them.”
Lung Foundation Australia’s new comprehensive long COVID resource hub is available here.
For media enquiries please contact:
Media and Communications Specialist
Anna Jeffries, 0408 191 192
annaj@lungfoundation.com.au