As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, with vaccine boosters and antivirals available, the Stroke Foundation has answered some questions you might have. These include:
This information is general in nature, guided by the Stroke Foundation Clinical Council. Please talk to your doctor if you are considering getting vaccinated or have concerns about COVID-19.
Read more: Information for the stroke community about COVID-19
People who have had a stroke should be aware that, just like with the flu, they are at a higher risk of severe symptoms and complications from COVID-19.
Although governments have ease restrictions, it remains recommended to do what you can to protect yourself and others. This means:
Make sure you continue to take your prescribed medications and go to any usual or scheduled healthcare appointments.
If you test positive for COVID-19, you should stay at home until you no longer have symptoms.
You must not visit high-risk settings like aged and disability care facilities and hospitals, unless seeking immediate medical care, until at least 7 days after testing positive and you have no symptoms of COVID-19.
Some states and territories may have additional requirements, including reporting the results of rapid antigen tests (RATs). Visit your local COVID-19 website:
Some people who are infected may not get sick at all, some will get mild symptoms from which they will recover easily, and others may become very ill, very quickly.
Government has provided more information and advice to people who may be more vulnerable to COVID-19. These are:
If your doctor has assessed you as being at high or moderate risk, you can develop your own COVID-19 action plan.
If you test positive for COVID-19 you may experience:
Other symptoms include:
COVID-19 symptoms are similar to some common illnesses, such as colds and flu, or allergies.
You can also use the government's COVID-19 Symptom Checker.
If you want to talk to someone about your symptoms, call the National Coronavirus Helpline 1800 020 080 (24 hours a day, seven days a week).
Most people who test positive for COVID-19 recover completely, but some people may develop long COVID.
Long COVID is where symptoms of COVID-19 remain, or develop, long after the initial infection – usually after 4 weeks. Symptoms of long COVID can last for weeks or sometimes months, and include:
It is not yet known how long symptoms of long COVID will last.
Download a resource on Getting Help for Long COVID
It is important to we all have the correct and up-to-date medical advice and reports.
The Australian Government regularly updates its Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic information. We suggest monitoring their recommendations and acting accordingly.
If you have questions, please call the Australian Government’s Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. The helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
There is a large amount of unverified information circulating on social media. It is important that you seek information on coronavirus from trusted sources.
People with disability can now contact the Disability Gateway for information and referrals about coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Disability Gateway can help families, carers and support workers, too. The Disability Gateway is free, private and fact-checked.
If you are worried or concerned about COVID-19, you can contact the Disability Gateway in the following ways:
The Disability Gateway is available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEDT). It is not available on national public holidays. Find out more at the Department of Social Services.
The Australian government also has information translated into languages other than English, including: