SCREEN YOURSELF: DO YOU HAVE LONG COVID SIGNS?
You have tested positive for COVID and many of your symptoms seem to be lingering for several weeks. Do you have Long COVID (also known as post COVID-19 condition or PCC)?(1) When does COVID-19 develop into Long COVID? Who is at the highest risk for developing Long COVID?
Let’s start with some of the facts. Anyone who has contracted SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), can experience post COVID-19 condition., This is true even for individuals who have experienced a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection (2).
As every person is affected by PCC differently, it is interesting to know there is a long list of PCC symptoms, beyond 200 possible symptoms! Identifying the most common symptoms in adults can assist in deciphering if you are dealing with a possible PCC diagnosis. This includes (2):
Fatigue
Trouble sleeping
Shortness of breath
General pain and discomfort
Cognitive problems, such as:
Memory loss
Difficulty thinking or concentrating
Mental health symptoms, such as:
Anxiety
Depression
The most common symptoms in children include:
Fatigue
Headaches
Abdominal pain
Sleep problems
Shortness of breath
Cognitive problems, such as:
Difficult thinking or concentrating
Muscle aches and joint pains
Although both children and adults of all ages can be affected by PCC, the studies reviewed by the Public Health Agency of Canada, the CDC, and collaborators show that the following groups appear to be disproportionately impacted by the condition (2):
Females
Individuals between the ages of 40-49 (3)
Those who experiences severe acute COVID-19, or required hospitalization
Those with underlying chronic conditions may also be at greater risk (2)
At Spire we are here to help you through your PCC journey. As both an athletic therapist and an individual who has personally gone through PCC and come out on the other side, I know how difficult it can be to begin the rehabilitation journey. I am here to help you understand and manage your symptoms . From breathing assessment and retraining, post-exertional malaise recognition and recovery, addressing physical symptoms and many more treatment principals in between. It is easy to discover the symptoms that you have developed; however, discovering why these symptoms may be persisting and what we can do to overcome them, is what we are here for! Long COVID treatments usually begin virtually and develop into in-person appointments. This means that no matter where you are, Spire can assist in your recovery journey! You do not have to wait until you have met the 4-12 week timeline to be defined as a Long COVID patient, to seek out assistance. So what are you waiting for? Let us help you get back to the things you love most.
References:
Tsampasian V, Elghazaly H, Chattopadhyay R, et al. Risk Factors Associated With Post−COVID-19 Condition: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2023;183(6):566–580. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.0750 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2802877
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/post-covid-19-condition.html#b2
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html
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