Long Covid Syndrome: Everything You Need to Know
The COVID-19 pandemic has been going on for a while now, over 2 years!! A new syndrome often called “Long Covid” or post-covid is used to describe the range of symptoms that persist after four weeks from an infection diagnosis. Symptoms can include fever, cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and body aches for weeks or even months after the initial onset of the virus. Long covid can be debilitating and even deadly in some cases. Long covid syndrome is thought to be caused by the SARS-CoV-19 virus, which is the same virus that causes COVID-19. Due to the persistent symptoms of the virus, many individuals who suffer from long covid take much longer to recover, and in some cases never recover back to full strength.
Key Points to know about Long Covid
- There is no single test for post-COVID conditions. While most people with post-COVID conditions have evidence of infection or COVID-19 illness, in some cases, a person with post-COVID conditions may not have tested positive for the virus or known they were infected.
- People who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 and become infected may also be at higher risk of developing post-COVID conditions compared to people who were vaccinated and had breakthrough infections.
- People who have experienced more severe COVID-19 illness, especially those who were hospitalized or needed intensive care are more at risk at suffering from long covid.
Some Symptoms that present with Long Covid
General symptoms
- Tiredness or fatigue that interferes with daily life
- Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort (also known as “post-exertional malaise”)
- Fever
Respiratory and heart symptoms
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations)
Neurological symptoms
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
- Headache
- Sleep problems
- Dizziness when you stand up (lightheadedness)
- Pins-and-needles feelings
- Change in smell or taste
- Depression or anxiety
Digestive symptoms
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
Other symptoms
- Joint or muscle pain
- Rash
- Changes in menstrual cycles
People with post-COVID conditions may develop or continue to have symptoms that are hard to explain and manage. Clinical evaluations and results of routine blood tests, chest x-rays, and electrocardiograms may be normal even though the person feels sick. The symptoms are similar to those reported by people with ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) and other poorly understood chronic illnesses that may occur after other infections. People with these unexplained symptoms may be misunderstood by their healthcare providers, which can result in a long time for them to get a diagnosis and receive appropriate care or treatment.
There is still a lot unknown about long covid and the best way to treat it. However, some things can be done to help prevent long covid, or at least make the symptoms more manageable. Some tips include:
– Get plenty of rest and sleep when initial symptoms appear
– Eat healthy foods and drink lots of fluids
– Take over-the-counter medications for pain relief such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
– Avoid alcohol and tobacco products
– Exercise regularly; Not necessarily in the gym but if you have the strength, short walks can provide a huge benefit!!
– Practice stress management techniques such as yoga or meditation.
Long covid can be a difficult syndrome to deal with and just as much as we need to take care of our body, we must not forget to take care of our emotional and mental health.
The best treatment for long covid syndrome is currently unknown, but some things can be done to help prevent it. Long covid is a serious condition that should not be taken lightly. If you think you may have long covid, please see a doctor immediately.
Estimates of the proportion of people who had COVID-19 that go on to experience post-COVID conditions can vary:
- 13.3% at one month or longer after infection
- 2.5% at three months or longer, based on self-reporting
- More than 30% at 6 months among patients who were hospitalized
COVID-19 has been going on for a while now, and with it comes a new syndrome often called “Long Covid” or post-covid. This syndrome can be debilitating to those who suffer from this syndrome. The factors that play a major role is still unknown, but many individuals who suffer from long covid take much longer to recover, if they ever fully recover. As we continue on through what hopes to be the downswing of the Covid-19 Pandemic, we might have to be mindful of other issues that may arise in the near and distant future. Check out our other posts for more information to Master your Craft!!
Stay Healthy Everyone!!
