WHAT IS LONG COVID AND WHO IS AT RISK?

Most people who have tested positive with Covid-19 recover within two weeks. However, some continue to suffer from symptoms even up to six months after their ‘recovery’. We look at the condition known as Long Covid-19 or post-Covid-19 syndrome.

---

We recently passed the anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic hitting South African shores, and a clear statistical picture has emerged of the effect of the virus on our country. With nearly 1.5 million confirmed cases – roughly 2.5% of the population – our government has been praised for the steps it has taken to ‘flatten the curve’ and drive down the rate of Covid-1 infection. Our recovery rate of around 90% and our fatality rate of 3% are in line with global averages, and although the pandemic has devastated our economy, we are not alone in facing this challenge. Countries around the world are grappling with rising unemployment, shortages of all kinds, and spiralling debt.

However, often ‘lost in the noise’ of these headline statistics is a group of Covid-19 patients known as ‘Long Haulers’. These are people for whom the effects of the virus may linger long past the ‘expected’ recovery period of a few weeks. Also known as ‘Long Covid’ or ‘post-Covid-19 syndrome’, this condition can last for many months – and recent studies show that it affects far more individuals than anyone has realised until now.

Related article: 5 Ways to set boundaries for friends (or family) who aren’t socially distancing

WHO GETS ‘LONG COVID’?
The official guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) state that approximately 80% of people who contract Covid-19 experience a ‘mild reaction’, with the vast majority of these cases resolving in about two weeks. However, when people experience a ‘severe’ response to the virus, recovery can take up to six weeks.

Long Covid describes a condition that does not fit neatly into either of these two categories. So-called Long Haulers may experience one or more symptoms for months after contracting the virus – and this does not seem to be related to the severity of their original infection. Furthermore, post Covid-19 syndrome is – at least for now – seemingly ‘random’ in its choice of victims. It affects young and old patients, those with underlying conditions and those without, as well as those who received treatment in hospital and those who did not.

Related article: Killing Covid with kindness



The most common symptoms of Long Covid are lasting feelings of fatigue and impaired concentration – a sensation described as ‘brain fog’ by Dr Luis Ostrosky, a professor of infectious diseases at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth in Houston in the US. In some cases, this fatigue can be so acute that even mundane physical tasks, such as climbing stairs, can feel quite overwhelming.

Other common symptoms are:

• Headaches
• Swelling and joint pains
• Diarrhoea
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath (particularly during physical activity)
• Altered or diminished sense of smell and taste
• Difficulty sleeping
• Anxiety and depression

“It affects young and old, those with underlying conditions and those without, as well as those who received treatment in hospital and those who did not.”

HOW COMMON IS IT?
There is a lot of disagreement in the scientific community about the prevalence of post Covid-19 syndrome.

An early paper published in the British Medical Journal estimated that 10% of Covid-19 patients ended up experiencing the effects of post Covid-19 syndrome. Then, in July 2020, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention reported that one in three Americans (33%) suffered from Long Covid. However, a more recent study out of Ireland – where patients self-reported their extended adverse symptoms – saw this figure rise to 62%. Alarmingly, in January 2021, Chinese researchers published an article in the esteemed journal The Lancet, claiming that the proportion of Long Haulers could be as high as 75% of those who contract Covid-19.

Related article: Your mask and your face: Keeping it clean

DID YOU KNOW?
World Health Organisation statistics show that as of 12 March 2021, there had been 118,058,503 confirmed cases of Covid-19 infection worldwide, and 2,621,046 deaths. As of 9 March, 300,002,228 vaccine doses had been administered.



TIPS FOR LONG HAULERS
Are you, or is anyone close to you, still suffering from symptoms more than 28 days after ‘recovering’ from a Covid-19 infection? Follow these guidelines to help aid recovery.

1. SEE A DOCTOR
The effects of post-Covid-19 syndrome can be serious and long-lasting. Consult a doctor and ask them to perform tests on your lungs and heart, as well as to check your overall cardiovascular (heart) and neurological (nerves) health.

2. GET ENOUGH SLEEP AND REST
The extended feelings of fatigue experienced by Long Haulers are best treated by sleep and rest. This might involve overhauling your old routines and sleep patterns. If this fatigue is accompanied by pain or swelling in your legs and feet, elevate these areas with a pillow or cushion while you lie down.

3. SLOWLY BUILD YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Try to do as much gentle physical activity as you can every day – but take it slowly, as the risks of overdoing it far outweigh the advantages. Over time, try to incorporate longer stints of mild physical activity to build your stamina – walking instead of driving to the shops, for example. For those with highly active lifestyles, the inability to exercise can provoke feelings of anxiety and depression. If this is the case, try slower, gentler forms of exercise (such as yoga) during your Long Covid recovery period.

 JET CLUB HELPLINES

PERSONAL HEALTH ADVISOR
For free advice on health issues, Jet Club members can call our helpline.

SA & Namibia
0800 00 45 45

Botswana, Lesotho & Swaziland
+2711 991 8258