Recovered from COVID but still ill
Some patients, after recovering from COVID-19, still feel that their body has not returned to normal. This is mostly found in elderly patients, those who are obese, and those with underlying diseases. The remaining symptoms are called Long COVID.
What is Long COVID? Let’s get to know this condition first
“Long COVID” is also known as POST COVID SYNDROME. It is a condition or symptoms that occur in COVID-19 patients after being infected for 4 weeks up to 12 weeks or more. Patients may have symptoms similar to before or new symptoms that were not present during the COVID-19 infection. Long COVID is often found in COVID-19 patients whose infection has reached the lungs and who have chronic diseases, resulting in the lungs working harder, weakened lungs, and easier fatigue than usual.
What are the symptoms of Long COVID?
There are many symptoms, but common ones include
- Chronic fatigue
- Easily tired, weakness
- Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, feeling of incomplete breathing
- Headache
- Reduced concentration
- Memory problems
- Cough, chest pain or tightness
- Muscle and joint pain
- Diarrhea
- Loss of smell, loss of taste
- Depression, stress, anxiety
Each person may experience different symptoms. These symptoms are not fixed and can occur throughout the body, including the respiratory system, nervous system, digestive system, and cardiovascular system, causing some recovered COVID patients to still be unable to return to their normal lives as before…
If you have Long COVID symptoms, you should seek treatment
Regularly monitoring your abnormalities after recovering from COVID-19 is important because doctors treat Long COVID based on symptoms. Therefore, if symptoms appear, seeing a doctor promptly will help ensure timely treatment. Additionally, regular physical check-ups as recommended by your doctor will help detect abnormalities early for proper self-care.
Complications from Long COVID
Long-term complications that may arise from Long COVID include
- Myocarditis
- Brain Fog
- Dysautonomia
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Insomnia
Warning… Do not exercise too much
For those who have recovered from COVID-19, it is not recommended to exercise too much or to the point of exhaustion. Exercise should be adjusted to light activities, for example, if you used to run, you might start with walking first. This is to prevent the lungs from working too hard and to allow the body to gradually recover and adapt back to a healthy state.
The condition of “Long COVID” is still medically unclear in terms of exact cause but can cause abnormalities in the body and mind of those who have been infected with COVID-19. Therefore, after recovery… you should regularly monitor and assess your body. If abnormalities are found, see a doctor promptly for evaluation, treatment, and proper rehabilitation planning because Long COVID may occur and persist long-term, affecting daily life. The longer it is left untreated, the more dangerous it can become.
If we watch carefully and receive medical care
Those abnormal symptoms may shorten in duration…
and the body has a chance to return to normal faster.
Dr. Kamoldej Wongpornpakdee
Internal Medicine Specialist
Internal Medicine Center Phyathai Nawamin Hospital
