Don't ignore post-Covid symptoms

Those who have recovered from the deadly pandemic are highly likely to undergo the post-Covid condition which is yet another period as important as the actual phase of infection.

This care stage too requires multidisciplinary pathways and should involve the primary care provider as well as relevant specialist rehab professionals, social care workers and psychosocial and mental health professionals, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

"If you have recovered from Covid-19 but are still experiencing some symptoms, you could have what is known as post-Covid condition", according to Dr Janet Diaz, Team Lead at WHO.

According to her, majority of the people would immediately have this situation which is also known as "long Covid" or they would have this condition sooner or later.

SYMPTOMS

More than 200 symptoms have actually been reported in patients after the Covid-19 bout, but three very common symptoms are shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction which people call brain fog, and fatigue.

Other symptoms people may experience include chest pain, such as trouble speaking, some have described anxiety or depression, muscle aches, fever, loss of smell, and loss of taste. So the list is quite long, but those top three are the ones that have been described.

DURATION OF LONG COVID

In response to Vismita Gupta Smith, Head, Strategy, Planning and Coordination at Department of Communications, WHO, Dr Janet said that as far as the medical experts are concerned, how long this condition lasts is still not completely clear. It has been described that the condition can last three months to six months and potentially up to nine months. But as you know "we are still about one year and a half into the pandemic. There's still more studies that need to be done to follow patients who develop post-Covid condition or long Covid and to see when their symptoms we hope will resolve."

TREATMENT FOR LONG COVID

Any patient or person who develops post-Covid condition should seek multidisciplinary care. Psychosocial workers, mental health professionals, rehab experts, and social care workers need to be involved.

With regard to specific treatment, we don't yet have one. The reason is because the actual reason behind why this develops is still unknown. Medical science is expecting to have a specific as it is learning more about the actual reason or mechanism of the disease developing.

VACCINATION

However, it is very clear that preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection, preventing Covid-19 is the best way to prevent the development of post -Covid condition or long Covid. So the use of vaccines we know reduces hospitalisation, reduces mortality, and so all those that are eligible should do that.

FOLLOW PRECAUTIONS

"Besides vaccines, public health precautionary measures such as mask wearing in the appropriate places, physical distancing, hand-washing, are also extremely important to prevent Covid-19 and everyone has a moral responsibility follow these rules," adds Dr Janet.