Post COVID Syndrome

• Nil

• Nil

To contact the relevant service, see Clinician Assist WA: Acute Respiratory assessment (external site).

• Signs and symptoms that develop during or after an infection consistent with COVID 19, continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative comorbid diagnosis.
• Common symptoms of Post COVID Syndrome include:
  • Dyspnoea
  • Persistent Cough
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle/joint pain
  • Headaches
  • Cognitive signs
  • Functional decline (e.g. impact on exercise tolerance/ADLs/ability to work)
  • Loss of smell or taste

Referrals missing 'mandatory information' with no explanation provided may not be accepted by site. If 'mandatory information' is not included, the explanation must be provided in the body of the referral (e.g. patient unable to access test in regional or remote areas or due to financial reason).

This information is required to inform accurate and timely triage. If unable to attach reports, please include relevant information/findings in the body of the referral and advise where (provider) investigation/imaging was completed.

• Relevant history, onset, duration, and severity of symptoms (including date of illness)
• Smoking/vaping status and history
• Current medication list
• Any known allergies
• Degree of functional impairment (e.g. impact on exercise tolerance/ADLs/ability to work)
• Details of previous treatment and outcome (including relevant letters from other specialists/ services)

• Nil

•  Comprehensive lung function test (spirometry + lung volumes + DLCO)

• Vaccination status
• Occupation

• Nil

• Desaturation on exertion
• FBC
• U&Es
• LFTs
• Iron studies
• Vitamin D and B12
• TSH
• ESR
• CRP
• CT thorax
• ECHO

Category 1

Appointment within 30 days

•  No defined category 1 criteria

Category 2

Appointment within 90 days

• Persistent pulmonary symptoms (> 12 weeks) following COVID- 19 illness with investigations demonstrating impaired lung function and exercise intolerance

Category 3

Appointment within 365 days

•  No defined category 3 criteria

Excluded condition for the following:

• Currently has active COVID-19 infection or confirmed COVID-19 infection in previous 6 weeks
• Non pulmonary symptoms are best managed in another specialist or multidisciplinary clinic, consider referral to the most relevant specialty based on assessment.
• Existing fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue

• See Clinician Assist WA: COVID-19 Assessment and Management

Spirometry: Bulk-billed spirometry can be obtained via Asthma WA. A list of other providers undertaking lung function testing is provided on Clinician Assist WA: Respiratory Function Testing.
See MBS: Item 11505 and MBS: Item 11506 for information on completing spirometry.

Clinician resources:

• National Clinical Evidence Taskforce: Caring for people with COVID-19
• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners: Caring for patients with post-COVID-19 conditions
• World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Post COVID-19 condition