Post-Covid Symptoms or Long COVID: What You Need to Know

In this article, we will be discussing post-COVID symptoms, commonly referred to as long COVID, what to look for and how you can support your immune system to get well as quickly as possible.

What you can expect while recovering from COVID-19.

First and foremost, it is important to understand that for some, the recovery from COVID-19 can be a long and difficult process. You may experience a number of different symptoms as your body heals.

Common symptoms you may experience during your recovery:

• fatigue
• cough
• breathlessness
• joint or muscle pain
• chest pain
• change in the sense of taste or smell
• anxiety and/or low mood

Less common symptoms:

• low-grade fever
• headache
• memory difficulties
• confusion
• muscle pain and weakness
• stomach and digestion difficulties
• rash
• depression

These symptoms will likely vary in severity depending on your overall health and the severity of your infection.

What is Long COVID?

Long COVID, also known as post-COVID condition, is a set of physical and psychological symptoms that may occur after you recover from an infection with the novel coronavirus. These symptoms are believed to be caused by changes in your immune system and body that are necessary for a full recovery.

Who is at greater risk of long COVID?

Anyone who has been infected with COVID-19 may be at risk for long-covid symptoms. However, some people are at greater risk than others, including those who;

• had a severe illness during the acute COVID-19 illness phase, including those who needed intensive care,
• have underlying conditions or diseases — for example, respiratory disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, chronic cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, post-organ transplantation or active cancer,
• are older,
• are female.

Help your recovery

Recovering from an illness can be difficult but there are 3 principles you can apply to give yourself the best chance at recovery:

• Pace: save energy by breaking up daily activities into smaller, more manageable tasks (e.g. break up a long staircase into 5 steps then a rest).
• Plan: plan ahead with your regular activities, including spreading out activities that need more energy (e.g. do the laundry one day and food shopping on a different day. You can also organise food delivery or ask friends for help).
• Prioritise: focus on doing essential or important activities. Use your plan to identify what could be put off to another day or whether family or friends can help.

Other things that you can do to aid your recovery include: 

• resting as much as possible,
• staying well hydrated,
• eating a healthy diet,
• avoiding stress,
• and getting plenty of restful sleep.

How is long COVID treated?

There is no specific treatment for long-covid, and the best way to manage these symptoms is through rest, good nutrition, and supportive care. Some studies suggest you are less likely to develop Long COVID symptoms if you are up-to-date with your vaccinations. 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or are concerned about your recovery from COVID-19, it is important to speak with your doctor or a healthcare professional for support and guidance.

If you have any questions, or would like to book a consultation to talk to one of our team, please call us on 07 5531 3205 or via our online booking portal.

Below are several useful resources that you may like to refer to to aid your recovery:

• Understanding post-COVID-19 symptoms and ‘long COVID’ (healthdirect)
• Support for rehabilitation: self-management after COVID-19-related illness (World Health Organisation) (PDF)
• Recovering from COVID – Post-COVID and Long COVID (PDF, 719 KB)
• Recovering from COVID-19 – breathing exercises and physical activity (PDF, 1 MB)
• Recovering from COVID-19 – steps to recovery (PDF, 1 MB)

Sources:

• https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-19/post-covid-symptoms-long-covid
• https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/health-advice/i-have-covid/your-recovery-from-covid-19
• https://www.racgp.org.au/FSDEDEV/media/documents/Clinical%20Resources/Guidelines/Managing-post-COVID-19.pdf