รู้จักภาวะลองโควิด (Long COVID) อาการเรื้อรังของคนที่เคยติดเชื้อโควิด

COVID test negative.. but why do symptoms (COVID disease) still persist? Are we just panicking or imagining that we are still sick even though we have recovered? If you are not sure whether the lingering symptoms are real or just in your mind, we want you to get to know the condition called “Long COVID”
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<h2>What is the chronic condition called “LONG COVID”?</h2>
From comparing survey results in patients treated for COVID-19, it was found that those with mild symptoms usually recover within 1-2 weeks or may take up to 6 weeks to recover after the initial infection.
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However, in 2021, reports showed that more than 3 out of 4 COVID-19 patients treated in hospitals in Wuhan still had at least one symptom within 6 months after discharge, which aligns with a 2020 study in Italy that found over 87.4% of patients who had been treated for COVID-19 still had at least one symptom within 2 months after discharge.
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Meanwhile, a medical research study in the United Kingdom (UK) found that more than half of COVID-19 patients in England who tested negative and were discharged home still had symptoms lasting up to 3 months. Due to COVID-19 symptoms requiring more than 12 weeks to recover, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) calls this chronic condition “Long COVID.”
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<h2>Even though the virus is gone… why do Long COVID symptoms still persist?</h2>
The exact cause of Long COVID symptoms has not been clearly reported, but studies suggest it may be due to the following factors:
<ul>
<li>Reduced immune system efficiency in fighting the virus</li>
<li>Relapse of the disease or reinfection</li>
<li>Body changes after prolonged bed rest with little physical movement</li>
<li>Post-Traumatic Stress</li>
</ul>
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<h2>Even if COVID test is negative, you should see a doctor if you have these symptoms</h2>
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists common symptoms found in people with Long COVID, including extreme fatigue, tiredness, shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, and joint or knee pain. Some may also experience muscle pain, headaches, intermittent fever, palpitations, and possibly depression.
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If Long COVID symptoms persist for a long time, they may also cause side effects on other organs such as abnormal lung function, hair loss, rashes, problems with smell and taste, insomnia, memory problems, lack of concentration, and mood swings.
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Moreover, if you start to notice severe abnormal symptoms such as worsening shortness of breath, confusion, cognitive problems possibly caused by physical abnormalities affecting brain function, or abnormal hearing, vision, or speech, these are signs that you should see a doctor immediately.
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<h2>Who is at risk of developing “Long COVID”?</h2>
From tracking over 1,000 COVID-19 patients in Leicester, it was found that the risk of Long COVID increases in women aged 40-60 with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease, asthma, and type 2 diabetes.
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Meanwhile, statistics from The COVID Symptom Study app show that Long COVID can affect about 10% of patients aged 18-49 and up to 22% of patients over 70 years old. There is also a higher risk linked to patients with underlying conditions such as asthma.
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For the at-risk group of Long COVID, this is still early research. Age and types of underlying diseases may not yet be definitive answers for specific risk groups. At the same time, patients not in the high-risk group may also face the possibility of Long COVID.
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<h2>Are these symptoms really “Long COVID”? Here is how doctors diagnose it</h2>
Because Long COVID symptoms are not imagined but result from internal body abnormalities, doctors will take a history and ask about symptoms from the time of infection until now, along with physical examinations such as measuring blood pressure, body temperature, heart rate, lung function, breathing check, blood tests to check liver and kidney function, iron levels, blood count, and may include chest X-rays, electrocardiograms, or urine tests.
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Even if the virus is not detected, the body may not be fully recovered. Patients should focus on self-care after hospital discharge by choosing healthy foods, getting enough sleep, avoiding alcohol, quitting smoking, limiting caffeine intake, and if severe abnormal symptoms are noticed, seeing a doctor for treatment according to the cause of the symptoms. Long COVID symptoms not only disrupt daily life but can also have severe life-threatening effects.
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Thank you for the information from
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/long-covid#management 
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/long-term-effects-of-coronavirus-long-covid/ 
https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/news/coronavirus-and-your-health/long-covid

Having had COVID but testing negative for the virus does not necessarily mean the body has fully recovered. If there are chronic COVID symptoms despite no infection, one should see a doctor, as it may be a sign of long COVID where various organs still have problems from the illness.

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Understanding Long COVID: Chronic Symptoms in People Who Have Had COVID Infection

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