Long COVID is a long-term state of some symptoms a person gets after getting diagnosed with COVID-19. The state could last for several weeks or months.
It might sound absurd or unusual, however, this is a health condition several people confronted and in studies and research still, a lot of analysis processes are going on.
The pandemic of COVID-19 was one of the biggest challenging and difficult situations the world has seen with several absurdities and uncertainties. The virus itself was difficult to handle. All of sudden the world got something that was new and unusual and no one knows what to do with medical stuff.
The global healthcare pandemic years have seen variants, deaths, the spread of the virus, lockdowns, economic downfall, and a long list of worries and problems.
Nonetheless, tidal waves get subtle and things started coming to normal.
The alarming things have been the aftermaths of coronavirus in form of numerous new symptoms.
It’s a logical fact to get after symptoms when a person gets a new virus, shows some symptoms or some inappropriate health condition, and recovers in a certain time. COVID-19 was not just a virus, but it was a completely new addition to the family that has no background of medical acknowledgment.
What is Long COVID?
This health state is the extension or growth of different warning signs three months after the first SARS-CoV-2 infection, with some symptoms staying for a minimum of two months with no other reason.
Such cases last differently for people. Some people who have COVID-19 start feeling healthier some days or weeks after the illness, however, some people have symptoms that last for longer.
When a person tests negative for COVID-19, which usually happens after about ten days, some symptoms often continue and give some tough time to the patient.
These symptoms are referred to as post-COVID-19 syndrome or long COVID, a new illness that is presently being researched. Other names for this disease are post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and post-COVID-19 disorders (PASC).
The impacts of the coronavirus over time can’t be neglected.
The condition when most people have COVID-19 with minor symptoms and they manage easily and recover completely in a few weeks is fine.
However, some people see some challenging phases when they may experience a long set of medical issues physical or mental that might remain for several months. They cause trouble in daily activities and the patient may have uncomfortable times.
How a person knows about getting Long COVID?
The researchers continue to learn about the short-and-long-term impacts of COVID. There is still a lack of information and to continue making wise decisions to stay protected, it is important to familiarize yourself with what is currently known.
When you have Long COVID, it is characterized as having signs that last for at least two months after the first COVID-19 infection and that cannot be explained by any other diagnosis. Usually, a patient is suspected of having post-COVID disorder after three months or 12 weeks of long symptoms.
Anyone of any age, even kids and teenagers, can be impacted by long COVID and it can affect a person even if he/she only had minor or no symptoms when originally infected.
Some people may experience long-lasting COVID new symptoms that are worse than the acute COVID-19 infection itself. The symptoms may develop after recovery from the primary disease or may continue to exist. They may also come and go or become better with time.
Long-term COVID might make it difficult for a person to carry out daily tasks like work and housework. Kids’ ability to conduct their studies may be affected. While the span of a patient’s COVID cannot be predicted, some analysis indicates that patients can improve with time.
In simpler notes, this condition can impact anyone of any age who has coronavirus. Sometimes symptoms can be worse and sometimes minor but long.
Everybody exposed to SARS-CoV-2 is susceptible to the Post COVID-19 Condition. Since Long COVID is not well understood and has no universal definition, estimates of its frequency and the primary symptoms differ also the process of knowing it.
What is the treatment or diagnosis of Long COVID?
It is still in the studies and process of some conclusion. There is as such no way or tactics of treatment or diagnosis, however, if a person has such symptoms, they need to consult.
Consult your doctor right away if you suspect you have long COVID as it is currently not treatable with medicine or therapy, but your doctor can provide you advice on how to manage your symptoms.
Symptoms of Long COVID
There is no agreement among doctors on the range of symptoms it covers. However, over two hundred different symptoms have been reported that can have an impact on everyday functioning.
It has different and several dimensions. Since nothing is official about the health condition, there are several estimations. It has also been in some reports that COVID-19 may have an impact on the brain, which shows a modest decrease in size following infection.
It is also said some persons with long COVID have problems in their lungs. However, these estimations are neither considered important nor permanent.
Some reported known major and minor symptoms are:
- Fatigue
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Stomach issues
- Visual changes
- Ongoing cough
- Alterations in or loss of taste and scent
- Depression
- Respiratory issues or lack of breath
- Sleeping issues
- Feeling faint
- Diarrhea
- Feelings of apprehension
- Chest pain
- Irregular heartbeats
- Headache
- Muscle and joint pain
- Lack of appetite
Here an important thing is to consider that certain symptoms could also have other causes. Severe COVID-19 symptoms and long-term COVID symptoms are two distinct things.
If we see the statistical analysis of long COVID,
“10 to 20% of those infected with SARS-CoV-2 may later experience symptoms of the post-COVID disorder.”
How to stay protected in Long COVID?
Precaution is better than cure. An unknown thing, it is better to stay away and protected from that.
Protecting yourself and others from COVID-19 infection in the first place is the best way to prevent long COVID. Several easy, effective steps are there to accomplish this, including the implementation of all safety steps against COVID-19 in general, which can be achieved by using different methods.
Everyone should get vaccinated first, and as soon as vaccination is done, get a booster dose. You are fully protected, but still, precautionary measures are important.
You are always prone to getting an infection, its frequency short-term or high could be low and its existence is there. Additionally, you should keep up with additional COVID-19 protections.
Put on a mask to cover your mouth and nose, Stay away from crowds, keep a good distance, take care of your health and hygiene and sanitize your hands.
Long COVID is not Contagious. It is impossible to spread these COVID-related illnesses to others.
Causes of Long COVID
Again, this health condition is still under research; therefore, the causes are unknown.
It is unclear why some persons have long COVID. According to one of the opinion experts, the excessively inflammatory immunological reaction of the body to a new COVID-19 infection may be the root of the problem.
The end note
Long COVID is one of the conditions a person can get after getting infected. It has numerous symptoms that can cause trouble in the long run.
However, experiencing long COVID symptoms will not result in a positive test result. Research work is still going on the illness, however, consultancy and care are always a must.
