COVID-19 (coronavirus) is generally thought of as a short-term condition that affects the lungs. Its symptoms of cough, shortness of breath and fever make COVID-19 seem like a normal respiratory virus but as time has passed we are finding out that it is very different.
Most sufferers of COVID-19 will recover completely within a few weeks. However, some patients infected with COVID-19 — even those who had mild versions of the disease, continue to experience symptoms well after their initial recovery. COVID-19 can have ongoing health impacts.
Post-COVID conditions
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems that can occur more than four weeks after first being infected with the virus.
Many patients who have experienced these long term effects following infection with COVID-19 have come to refer to themselves as “long haulers” and the conditions have been called post-COVID-19 syndrome or “long COVID-19.”
COVID-19 long-term, chronic conditions may include
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
Some who have recovered from COVID-19 have gone on to develop chronic fatigue syndrome. It is a disorder characterized by the following
- Extreme fatigue -those with CFS are often not able to carry out their usual activities.
- Being confined to bed due to tiredness.
- Severe fatigue and sleep problems.
According to an Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, an estimated 836,000 to 2.5 million Americans suffer from CFS. However, most of them have not been diagnosed.
Damage to the heart muscle
- Imaging tests taken after recovery from COVID-19 have shown lasting damage to the heart muscle.
- This may increase the risk of heart failure or other heart complications in the future.
Damage affecting part of the brain
- COVID-19 can cause strokes, seizures and Guillain-Barre syndrome — a condition that causes temporary paralysis.
Multiorgan System Effects of COVID-19
Multiorgan effects of COVID-19 have been documented in most, if not all, body systems including cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, dermatologic, neurologic, and psychiatric. This means that just about any symptom affecting any organ can appear in the weeks following infection with COVID-19. Common symptoms that have been reported include
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
- Headache
- Loss of smell or taste
- Dizziness on standing
- Joint or muscle pain
- Depression or anxiety
Treatment of post-COVID conditions
At present, there is no specific treatment for the symptoms of post-COVID conditions. However, many patients with these symptoms are getting better with time. If you think you have post-COVID symptoms or conditions
- Make an appointment to see a doctor. They can help with symptom management. Furthermore, they can point you in the direction of other resources.
- Get vaccinated for COVID-19 – there is anecdotal evidence that after getting vaccinated, those with post-covid symptoms start t feel much better.
Preventing COVID-19
The best way to prevent these long-term complications is to prevent infection with COVID-19.
- Continue to practice good hygiene
- Monitor your symptoms
- Get vaccinated
- If you suspect that you have COVID-19 speak to a health professional right away. Quick action means you can get treated with powerful and effective drugs such as monoclonal antibodies like Bamlanivimab.
Much remains unknown about COVID-19. It is a new virus and our understanding of it continues to evolve. Reach out to your doctor if you or a loved one are concerned about post-COVID 19 symptoms.
Concerned about COVID?
COVID Care in Houston is Just Minutes Away. Life Savers ER is Houston’s go-to destination for COVID testing.
- If you have common COVID-19 symptoms
- If you want to determine whether you have a cold, the flu, or COVID-19
- If you have recently come into contact with someone that has tested positive for COVID-19
- If you have recently returned from a trip
- If you are planning a trip
- If it is a job or school requirement
References
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-long-term-effects/art-20490351
- https://www.cdc.gov/me-cfs/index.html
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects.html
Emergency in Houston?
Life Savers 24 Hour Emergency Room is equipped to handle life threatening conditions quickly. Your emergency or concern is our priority! Life Savers 24 Hour Emergency Room is your Houston ER for immediate definite care. Do not hesitate to call us today or stop by one of our houston emergency room locations: Willowbrook ER, Heights ER, or Summerwood ER.
