Covid and shortness of breath: what to know

Breathlessness may happen with fever, coughing, blocked airways or inflammation during an infection. It can also persist while the body recovers. The sensation is not specific to COVID-19: asthma, acute bronchitis, COPD, bronchiectasis, anaemia and heart conditions can cause it too.

Pay attention to whether you are short of breath at rest, after walking across a room or only with more demanding activity. New breathlessness, a clear change from your usual breathing, or difficulty speaking in full sentences deserves prompt clinical advice.

Rest in an upright position, keep fluids nearby if you can drink safely, and follow your COVID-19 care plan. Move gently around the room if able, but stop if breathing becomes harder. Keep a note of changes in cough, chest discomfort, fever and activity tolerance.

Contact a clinician promptly if symptoms are new, worsening or limiting basic activities. People with asthma or COPD should follow their personalised plan and seek advice if usual reliever treatment is not helping.

Call emergency services for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, confusion, fainting, sudden chest pain, coughing blood, or inability to speak because of breathlessness. Sudden breathing difficulty with facial swelling, hives or throat tightness may indicate anaphylaxis and is an emergency.

Could my breathing change be from COVID-19, asthma, anaemia or a heart or lung condition? Do I need an examination or further tests? What symptoms should make me call emergency services, and how should I pace my return to activity?