Shane Warne reveals he used ventilator to fight off long Covid impact

Shane Warne has revealed the depths of his Covid battle and says living in the UK makes it clear how Australia got its virus response so wrong.

Spin king Shane Warne has spoken of his battle with Covid and urged Australians to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Warne confirmed at the start of August that he had contracted coronavirus and took time away from his role as head coach of the London Spirit team in The Hundred cricket competition, to isolate and recover.

He was double vaccinated when he fell ill in London.

“It was a bit like a hangover, I had a pounding headache,” he said of his symptoms.

“The first couple of days, when I tested positive, I just had a thumping headache and I had one day where I had the shivers, but (was) sweating, like when you have the flu.

Shane Warne said Covid gave him flu-like symptoms and was glad he was vaccinated. Picture: Tim Carrafa

“I lost a bit of sense of taste for a few days, but after three or four days I was fine.

“I have apparently got the holy grail. I have been double vaccinated and I have had Covid, so I am meant to be absolutely fine now.”

Warne said at the end of his Covid bout he briefly used a ventilator, but at no stage during the illness did he suffer any breathing difficulties.

“I was on a ventilator but it was not an emergency ventilator,” he said.

“It wasn’t because I could not breathe, or anything like that, it was basically a special ventilator that I was trialling to make sure there were no longer-lasting effects that Covid would have on me.

“I have been fine, I have been able to run, I have been able to do everything.

“I have been absolutely fine.”

Warne said he believed Australia had to learn to live with Covid, as a zero-Covid policy was unrealistic and lockdowns were unsustainable and damaging.

“It would not be easy being a premier of anyone, or the Prime Minister in this situation, in a pandemic.

Warne says he is fighting fit again, back running and playing golf. Picture: Getty Images

“You are not going to be able to keep everyone happy, but there are certain things that Australia has just got wrong,” he said.

“It is not sustainable to try and have zero Covid in the country.

“What you have to do is learn to live with it and that is what I have seen over here (in the UK).

“It is everyone’s choice to get vaccinated or not, but to me it is pretty simple, get vaccinated and we won’t have lockdowns and we can get on with learning to live with Covid or don’t get vaccinated and you can’t travel and we will have lockdowns.

“Get vaccinated has to be the message to everyone so we can get back to some sort of normality.”

At 52, Warne continues to be the international face, or head, of Advance Hair after 17 years with the company.

“Hair loss is a serious issue, I know some people get embarrassed or shy talking about it,” he said.

“As a 52-year-old male I did not like going bald, I did not like it.

“Some people can rock that Bruce Willis look — not many — but I couldn’t.

“I like having a full head of hair and, thanks to Advanced Hair and Carl (Howell) and his team, I have been able to have a full head of hair and it looks good.

“I am really happy, it gives me a lot more confidence and I feel good about myself.

“It (life) is not a rehearsal, you only have one crack at it so make it a good one.

“I am very grateful for them (Advanced Hair) sticking by me.

“They are the longest (commercial) partner that I have had and I really believe in them.

“I would not still be associated with Advanced Hair if I did not believe in it and see the impact we have helping so many people. Mental health and hair loss is a serious issue.”