COVID-19 is a pandemic that we have been facing for over two years. Every day, new people are added to the group of infected people, but each case is different from the next. I am talking not only about the symptoms, but also the length of struggle with them and possible health consequences. In addition, we hear more and more often about long-term ailments, despite the defeat of the coronavirus. Who is most at risk of COVID-19 debts?
The period during which the virus persists in the body is estimated at 14 days on average, but this is not always the case. Some patients with the disease struggle for up to 25 days. Depending on the organism and coexisting diseases, the symptoms of coronavirus can accompany us for a long time. This problem is known as complications from COVID-19. What is the main determinant? There have been studies reporting who may be most at risk from long COVID-19. It is worth emphasizing, however, that in order to construct an unambiguous answer, these studies must be continued and based on current medical observations.
What is long covid?
According to the definition of the World Health Organization, long covid is a situation in which at least one symptom persists or appears three months after the eradication of the disease. This ailment must last more than two months. WHO emphasizes, however, that research on the so-called long covid has only just begun, so the definition and guidelines may constantly change and evolve.
Further part below the video.
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Research on long covid
Researchers include from California, Seattle and San Francisco, presenting their findings in the scientific journal Cell, report the first findings that could answer who is most at risk from COVID-19 debts. The long-term symptoms of coronavirus are a serious obstacle in everyday functioning, and most importantly – they burden human health and psyche. For this reason, the first reports have become an important hint, not only for those suffering from long covid, but also for people worried about the severe passage of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Make a test package for convalescents and check the condition of your body after the disease
Nahid Bhadelia, the American founder of the Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Policy and Research and an infectious disease physician, emphasizes the importance of this first step. What does research published in January 2022 show?
One of the observations covered two groups of patients and consisted of taking a smear and blood tests, which were repeated cyclically, i.e. at the beginning of the disease, in the acute phase, and about 2-3 months after the eradication of the virus. On the basis of the obtained results, as well as an interview regarding well-being and health, the researchers made some conclusions. They noted that most patients still struggle with symptoms associated with the flu. After examining blood samples, doctors discovered the presence of autoantibodies, proteins that attack the body’s tissues. The high number of autoantibodies has become one possible explanation for who is most at risk from long covid. People who have these proteins, and therefore also patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, may be worse at coronavirus.
Another possible factor is the infection with EBV (Epstein-Barr) virus, which causes, among others, mononucleosis. One of the observations of scientists from the journal Cell is that some of the studied patients, suffering from long covid, had it in their blood. Nevertheless, this is not fully confirmed, so further observations are needed.
Type 2 diabetes may also be important. Researchers speculate that this chronic disease may alter the body’s immune response, making the system more susceptible to long covid.
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What are the symptoms of long COVID-19?
Long COVID-19 remains an area of research and observation. Researchers are managing to gather more and more data to understand who is most at risk of complications from the coronavirus and a long recovery period.
The most frequently mentioned symptoms, referred to as long covid, include:
- persistent fatigue;
- shortness of breath, shallow breathing;
- severe muscle weakness;
- disturbance of the senses – taste and smell;
- problems with sleeping;
- depression and anxiety;
- menstrual disorders;
- weakness and hair loss;
- problems with concentration and memory, and other neurological disorders known as brain fog;
- stinging in the chest and possible heart problems such as palpitations.
The treatment will be different depending on the complications that the individual patient is struggling with. Disturbing symptoms may last more than six months. It is very important to report your suspicion to the doctor and implement appropriate steps to combat malaise and other unhealthy ailments. Most often, recovery involves many exercises – gradual introduction of movement, but also breathing or even aerobic training.
This may interest you:
- What happens in the brains of convalescents? The neurologist explains
- Eight surprising symptoms of long covid. The healers must be alert
- What’s going on in the lungs of people with long covid? The real scale of the problem