Covid ‘can have long-term effect’

Counsellors and psychologists are an important part of coronavirus rehabilitation as people suffer from long-term effects of Covid-19, an expert has said.

Patients who have already had to self-isolate, and are then given a trajectory for improvement that is not met could start to feel disheartened, and need support.

Dr Michael Beckles, consultant respiratory and general physician at The Wellington Hospital in London, said he has seen a number of patients suffering from ongoing effects of the disease. He said the main symptom being reported is breathlessness, with patients also describing a “brain fog”.

Dr Beckles said: “I’m seeing more and more patients who’ve had Covid-19 infection confirmed in the laboratory and on X-ray, who have cleared the infection and are still presenting with persistent symptoms.

“Some of those symptoms are respiratory, such as breathlessness, chronic cough. And some have other symptoms such as what the patients describe as ‘brain fog’, and I understand that to be a difficulty in concentration.

“Some still have loss of sense of taste or smell.”

He added that it can be frustrating for patients because investigations after the infection can be normal, yet the symptoms persist.

Dr Beckles is part of a team of specialists at the new post Covid-19 rehabilitation unit at The Wellington Hospital.

He said: “I’ve seen a couple of patients who prior to having Covid-19 infection were people who went to the gym three or four times a week – one in particular did high intensity spin classes. Both of them have found it really difficult to resume those activities.”

Saying that some patients are scared, Dr Beckles added: “I think that’s one of the key areas where the rehabilitation group helps, in terms of access to counsellors and psychologists.”