Essential Information About Post-Covid Syndrome

According to Statista, there have been around 63.2 million global cases of COVID-19 as of November 30, 2020. Over 43 million people have recovered from the disease, while there have been over 1.4 million deaths. The United States, Brazil, and India have been among the countries hardest hit by the pandemic.[1]

The preliminary data from World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that recuperation (from onset to clinical recovery) from Covid-19 takes an average time of 2 weeks for mild cases, or 3 to 6 weeks for severe to critical cases.

However, there have been emerging reports of people continuing to experience symptoms that persist well beyond testing negative for the virus.

The increasing number of reported cases have started discussions about this phenomenon currently referred to as “Post-Covid Syndrome.”

What is Post-Covid Syndrome?

Post-Covid Syndrome is the condition wherein past Covid-19 patients are still experiencing Covid-19 symptoms after their initial recovery.

Patients experiencing this condition are sometimes referred to as “long-haulers.” The cause and origin of the symptoms, however, are still unknown.

Currently, there is still no clear, precise, or agreed definition of this condition[2]. Experts around the world are conducting several studies to shed light on this issue.

What Are the Symptoms of Post-Covid Syndrome?

Post-Covid Syndrome, just like Covid-19 comes with a variety of symptoms.

The common symptoms of Post-Covid Syndrome include:

● Fatigue

● Cough

● Shortness of Breath

● Joint Pain

● Chest Pain

● Headache

Among these symptoms, fatigue, cough, and headache appear to be the most frequently reported.

Who Are More Likely to Experience Post-Covid Syndrome?

There is a certain group of people known to be particularly at high risk of developing Post-Covid Syndrome. Patients who experienced a severe case, those with underlying health conditions, particularly cardiopulmonary issues, hypertension, diabetes, or obesity, and patients more than 50 years old are more inclined to suffer from this condition.[3]

What Should Someone Do If They Feel They Are Experiencing Post-Covid Syndrome?

Patients with lingering symptoms who used to have mild illness should schedule an appointment with your health care provider. Your doctor can conduct a diagnosis of your symptoms, its severity, and provide treatment for mild cases.

In the case of patients with more severe symptoms related to prior conditions, follow up with your specialist to address your current issues.

Post-Covid Syndrome has been experienced by a fair number of former covid-19 patients. While several studies are ongoing to get a clearer picture of this phenomenon, it helps to be more aware of this existing condition and reach out to your doctor promptly once you experience recurring or sustained symptoms after recovery.

Get a free 15-minute discovery call with Dr. Rita Oganwu to talk about your condition and learn how to get proper treatment.

[1] "• COVID-19 cases, recoveries, and deaths | Statista." https://www.statista.com/statistics/1087466/covid19-cases-recoveries-deaths-worldwide/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2020. [2] "Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome - IDSA." 5 Nov. 2020, https://www.idsociety.org/covid-19-real-time-learning-network/disease-manifestations--complications/post-covid-syndrome/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2020. [3] "Post-COVID Syndrome: What Should You Do If You Have ...." 19 Nov. 2020, https://www.houstonmethodist.org/blog/articles/2020/nov/post-covid-syndrome-what-should-you-do-if-you-have-lingering-covid-19-symptoms/. Accessed 1 Dec. 2020.