Post COVID-19 Syndrome:
What happens to the body after recovering from COVID-19?
As we all know, COVID-19 directly affects the respiratory system, especially in the later waves where the virus has become more severe, causing greater impact on the lungs. Even if externally we show almost no symptoms, many people worry about what will happen to their bodies after recovering from COVID-19 and whether there will be any long-term effects. Today, the doctor will clarify all the questions you want to know.
Can COVID-19 really cause blood clots in the lungs?
The COVID-19 virus stimulates inflammation in the body, which can lead to blockage of the small blood vessels, causing blood clots. This is mostly found when the oxygen level in the blood is still below standard, even though lung inflammation has decreased. Blood clots can occur not only in the lungs but also in the brain, heart, kidneys, and legs.
Will the lungs return to full strength after recovering from COVID-19?
In most patients with mild symptoms, the lungs can recover to normal within 3 months. However, if inflammation is still present after 3 months, lung fibrosis must be monitored closely, and symptoms should be followed up for at least 1 year.
Post COVID-19 symptoms to watch out for even after recovery
Post COVID-19 Syndrome refers to symptoms that may occur 4-6 weeks after recovering from COVID-19 infection, but not in every patient. Common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, muscle and joint pain, shortness of breath, headache, fever, as well as psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety due to the traumatic experience of illness. If reinfection is ruled out, doctors will treat based on symptoms.
The most common causes of Post COVID-19 Syndrome are divided into 3 main categories as follows:
- Symptoms resulting from COVID-19 treatment
Don’t worry! This does not refer to the use of favipiravir, as this drug has almost no side effects or only very minor ones that are not concerning. Most treatment-related effects are found in patients with moderate to severe symptoms (yellow and red levels). Symptoms include fluctuating blood sugar levels, a side effect of steroid use to control lung inflammation. Another condition to watch for is pulmonary edema, especially in patients who required ventilators or high-flow oxygen during treatment.
- Complications from hospitalization
Because COVID-19 treatment requires hospitalization for at least 10 days, and recently over 20% of patients with pneumonia from the new wave of COVID-19 experienced recurrent inflammation after stopping medication, leading to longer hospital stays, this results in:
- Mental health deterioration, mostly stress and anxiety, which can cause insomnia and insufficient rest, slowing recovery.
- In cases with severe shortness of breath and difficulty moving, atelectasis may occur due to prolonged pressure on the same area, reducing oxygen circulation in the lungs, muscle atrophy, or pressure sores.
- Physical effects caused by the COVID-19 virus
COVID-19 targets the lungs directly, causing pneumonia. When the lungs are inflamed, oxygen delivery to the blood is insufficient for the body’s needs. Without timely treatment, internal systems gradually fail. Treatment focuses on antiviral therapy alongside controlling lung inflammation. After recovery, time is needed for the lungs and immune system to heal.
Simple techniques to restore lung fitness
- Sleep at least 10-12 hours per day
- Rest your lungs as much as possible, avoid any exertion
- Drink plenty of water to meet your body’s needs, as water helps reduce inflammation, moisturizes the lungs, and decreases mucus buildup
- Exercise your lungs by
- practicing prone positioning
- taking deep breaths to full lung capacity, holding for 3 seconds, then exhaling
- swinging your arms
- Choose easily digestible foods, eat small amounts but more frequently, reduce meat consumption as it requires more energy to digest, increasing lung workload. Avoid fried, fatty, spicy foods, and coconut milk, which may trigger coughing and worsen lung inflammation.
- Avoid exercise and sexual activity for at least 2 weeks or until you no longer feel breathless when breathing
