‘I am a professor in respiratory physiology and this is what I learn about Covid’
Symptoms of long Covid can range from aches and pains in the limbs to brain fog and insomnia.
There are “over 200 documented symptoms of long Covid”, which may differ in frequency and depth.
“An infection with SARS-Cov-2 [Covid] attacks and affects, impairs and, in some cases, can damage the regular function of bodily systems,” mentioned Dr Faghy.
“These include the immune system, neural, muscular systems and function of the endothelial cells.”
Dr Faghy added: “The persistent nature of long Covid has also been linked to viral persistence where the virus is not cleared but remains in the body.”
Dr Faghy mentioned: “The damage we are seeing to some organs and systems means it is likely that some people might not make it back to their pre-Covid status.”
While there are some sufferers who show enchancment over time, thereby attaining their pre-Covid purposeful state, others are merely not getting higher.
“Like any chronic health condition, healthy lifestyle behaviours reduce the risk and/or likelihood of developing long Covid,” mentioned Dr Faghy.
“And a number of studies have shown that pre-existing health issues increase the likelihood of severe acute infection and progression to long Covid.”
However, Dr Faghy identified a caveat in that a big proportion of people that had been beforehand in good well being nonetheless developed lengthy Covid.
Dr Faghy mentioned: “The evidence suggests that anybody can develop long Covid and the associated symptoms.”
How are you able to inform if it is lengthy Covid?
Dr Faghy answereed: “In the absence of a definitive tool to diagnose long Covid, people should look out for changes in their abilities to undertake and complete their routine tasks.
“If anybody is anxious, they need to converse to their GP.”
People suffering from long Covid may be able to be referred by their GP to a long Covid service, the NHS says.
The health body explains: “These providers will help handle your signs and make it easier to get well.”
The Covid Recovery programme is a web based help service that will help you deal with signs of lengthy Covid.
Access is barely accessible after a referral to the programme by a healthcare skilled, who will offer you a novel code for registration.