What is long COVID? What is post-COVID syndrome?

 
What is long COVID?

A strange condition is observed in people who suffered from COVID-19 in the past. Long COVID is also known as post-COVID syndrome. Some people continued to experience some symptoms after recovering from even mild COVID-19 infection. Some clinicians believe it may be possible that a mild infection is not just going away. 

What are the symptoms of Long COVID?

There are many symptoms of long COVID or post-COVID syndrome. Symptoms may range from mild fatigue to debilitating body aches and persistent cough. These symptoms may persist for months to years.

Researchers believe that after having COVID-19, 1 in 5 people has one symptom that is related to the post-COVID syndrome. As it was a pandemic, there are many people who are suffering from the aftershocks of COVID-19.

There are many symptoms of long COVID. we will only discuss those symptoms which are common.

Common symptoms are

• Fatigue
• Body aches and pains
• Fever
• Physical and mental exhaustion

There are some system-related conditions in post-COVID syndrome  such as

• Respiratory symptoms such as persistent cough and shortness of breath.
• Mental health-related symptoms such as loss of sleep, loss of smell and loss of taste, headache, restless leg syndrome, difficulty in concentration, irritability, anxiety, and depression.
• Gut problems for example diarrhea and abdominal pain.
• Heart symptoms such as chest pain or fast beating heart.

And there are many more...

So it is very hard to tell whether a person is really from the post-COVID syndrome. Some symptoms are very similar to other chronic medical conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome or chronic conditions that develop after infections. It is always advised to consult your healthcare provider for further information and guidance.

What are the risk factors to develop long COVID?

People who had experienced severe COVID-19 are at risk of developing long-COVID.

How to prevent long COVID?

The only way to prevent long COVID is to protect yourself and others from getting the infection. Vaccine against COVID-19 is also the best way of protection. We must follow the guidelines provided by our healthcare system for protection against COVID-19.

Do I have long COVID?

There are no specific tests for long COVID. As there is a long list of symptoms it is very difficult to diagnose. The history of COVID-19 in the past is the only evidence to suggest whether a person is having long COVID or not.

It is always advised to consult your local healthcare provider for further information and suggestions.

What is monkeypox? How monkeypox spreads? Can humans get monkeypox virus?

Monkeypox

 

Monkeypox is a viral disease(Monkeypox virus or MPV) and there is an ongoing outbreak. This virus is similar to the smallpox virus. This disease is endemic in Nigeria. The initial cluster of cases was confirmed in the United Kingdom in May 2022. This is the first time that monkeypox has spread outside of Africa.

How monkeypox spreads?

A well-known source of spread is a recent visit to Nigeria. It is a zoonotic infection which means it spreads from animals(rodents and primates) to humans and it can also be transmitted from human to human. It is transmitted by direct contact with an infected person specifically those who are having lesions on their skin or genitals. It can also spread by respiratory secretions such as coughing, sneezing, and talking. It can also spread by touching infected surfaces or fabrics. There are reported cases of spread through sexual intercourse specifically men who have sex with men.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

• Body rash, may look like pimples or scabs and may be itchy or painful
• Fever
• Body aches
• Rigors and chills
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Nasal congestion

Sometimes people may experience only flu-like illness before the rash and after one or two weeks all the symptoms are gone.

Duration of symptoms?

Monkeypox symptoms usually start within two to three weeks after exposure. The first symptom to appear is a flu-like illness. After one to four weeks patient develops a body rash. The illness typically lasts for three to four weeks.

Monkeypox test

Monkeypox virus is a double-stranded DNA virus so usually, PCR or nucleic acid testing is done. A blood sample or sample of the skin lesion is obtained for diagnosis. Always contact your local healthcare provider for further information.

When someone should get tested for monkeypox?

If someone thinks that he may have monkeypox it is always recommended to contact your local healthcare provider for help and further procedure.

Does monkeypox have many types?

There are two types of monkeypox, CLADE1 and CLADE2. The recent outbreak is from CLADE2.

Is monkeypox dangerous?

The recent outbreak is from CLADE2. It is rarely dangerous. 99% of patients recover completely. People with a weakened immune system may have a severe illness.

What are treatment options for monkeypox?

There is no specific treatment. symptomatic treatment is given to all patients.

Is there any vaccine for prevention?

The monkeypox virus is genetically similar to the smallpox virus. Vaccines used for smallpox may be beneficial to prevent monkeypox infection.

What is flu? What is seasonal infuenza?

Flu is a contagious viral illness caused by influenza viruses. 

Influenza family is a group of 

viruses ( A,B,C,D). It can affect the nose, throat, or sometimes lungs.

What are the symptoms of Flu?

Flu may present with

• Headache

• Fever

• Body aches

• Runny nose

• Nasal congestion

• Cough

• Throat pain

• Chills and sweats

• Vomiting diarrhea

• Shortness of breath

How Flu spreads?

It is spread by air droplets when a person who has flu coughs,

sneezes or talks.

Air droplets with the influenza virus can infect a person within

 one to two meters of range.

 Who are at risk?

• Young children under age 5 and specifically those under 6 months.

• Old age person of age more than 65.

• Diabetic patients.

• Persons suffering from cancer or malignancy.

• Patients who are receiving chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or steroids.

• Patients who are suffering from chronic ailments ( liver, renal, or cardiac failure).

• Doctors and paramedical staff.

When to see a doctor?

Most people who suffer from flu usually get well on their own within a few days.

 It is a self-limiting disease.

If you have severe symptoms or you have a pre-existing medical condition then 

 

consult your doctor for further advice.

What is the treatment?

Always consult your doctor for treatment your doctor may give you symptomatic 

 treatment. Doctors usually prescribe antipyretics for fever and analgesics for body 

aches. Doctors also advise their patients to take plenty of fluids. If symptoms are 

severe antiviral treatment is also recommended.

 

How to prevent flu?

Annual influenza vaccination is the best way to prevention. 

Also spread can be prevented by taking some measures such as wearing a mask,

covering your mouth while coughing or sneezing, maintaining a distance of one meter,

washing your hands, cleaning workplaces, and avoiding crowds during periods of 

endemics.

What are the complications?

• Pneumonia

• Ear infections

• Asthma flare-ups

• worsening of a pre-existing condition

• acute respiratory distress syndrome