Does holding your breath for a period of time without coughing or feeling discomfort mean you are free from COVID-19 or other lung issues?
Does holding your breath for a period of time without coughing or feeling discomfort mean you are free from COVID-19 or other lung issues?
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While holding your breath without coughing during an at-home lung test might give you some very basic indication about your lungs' capacity, these tests are not accurate or reliable indicators about your overall lung health or a COVID-19 infection.
While holding your breath without coughing during an at-home lung test might give you some very basic indication about your lungs' capacity, these tests are not accurate or reliable indicators about your overall lung health or a COVID-19 infection.
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What our experts say
Holding your breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling discomfort does not mean you are negative for COVID-19. Symptoms of the COVID-19 virus are different in every person. Some people might not have any symptoms at all (a phenomenon known as being 'asymptomatic'). Some people may be able to hold their breath for longer than 10 seconds even if they are actively infected with COVID-19.
Other than helping to determine whether you have shortness of breath or a cough - which are both symptoms of the virus - holding your breath for 10 seconds is not a substitute for an actual COVID-19 test, which are the only accurate ways of determining whether or not you have an active infection, or tests that can diagnose another lung-related condition.
Holding your breath for 10 seconds or more without coughing or feeling discomfort does not mean you are negative for COVID-19. Symptoms of the COVID-19 virus are different in every person. Some people might not have any symptoms at all (a phenomenon known as being 'asymptomatic'). Some people may be able to hold their breath for longer than 10 seconds even if they are actively infected with COVID-19.
Other than helping to determine whether you have shortness of breath or a cough - which are both symptoms of the virus - holding your breath for 10 seconds is not a substitute for an actual COVID-19 test, which are the only accurate ways of determining whether or not you have an active infection, or tests that can diagnose another lung-related condition.
Context and background
Since the world first learned about COVID-19, many pieces of health misinformation have been shared on social media, including this rumor about breath-holding being a good tool for determining whether or not someone has been infected with COVID-19. Unfortunately, this piece of misinformation has made its way around the world despite the fact that it is not accurate in any context.
Several health sources like the World Health Organization, universities, renowned hospitals, and health groups have specifically addressed this issue and note that holding your breath should not be used as a test for the COVID-19 virus.
The only accurate, effective way to know if you are infected with the COVID-19 virus is to take a test at your local health facility and await the results. Until the results come in, it is best to continue isolating, washing your hands, and avoiding contact with others. In addition, the only accurate, effective way to know if you have another health condition is to see a healthcare provider and take the necessary tests under medical supervision.
Since the world first learned about COVID-19, many pieces of health misinformation have been shared on social media, including this rumor about breath-holding being a good tool for determining whether or not someone has been infected with COVID-19. Unfortunately, this piece of misinformation has made its way around the world despite the fact that it is not accurate in any context.
Several health sources like the World Health Organization, universities, renowned hospitals, and health groups have specifically addressed this issue and note that holding your breath should not be used as a test for the COVID-19 virus.
The only accurate, effective way to know if you are infected with the COVID-19 virus is to take a test at your local health facility and await the results. Until the results come in, it is best to continue isolating, washing your hands, and avoiding contact with others. In addition, the only accurate, effective way to know if you have another health condition is to see a healthcare provider and take the necessary tests under medical supervision.
Resources
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Mythbusters (WHO)
- One dangerous coronavirus 'self-check test' is circulating on social media. Here's why you should avoid it. (CNN)
- Ability to hold your breath 10 seconds is not a test for coronavirus (AP)
- Lung Function Tests (American Lung Association)
- App lets you monitor lung health using only a smartphone (UW News)
- Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Mythbusters (WHO)
- One dangerous coronavirus 'self-check test' is circulating on social media. Here's why you should avoid it. (CNN)
- Ability to hold your breath 10 seconds is not a test for coronavirus (AP)
- Lung Function Tests (American Lung Association)
- App lets you monitor lung health using only a smartphone (UW News)
