+ DOCTOR’S ORDERS

LIVING WITH LONG COVID

For most people, COVID-19 is a mild infection that improves over a few days to a week or so. The majority who have had the virus make a full recovery by 12 weeks. But around one in five patients may develop Long COVID symptoms. Within this group, most will slowly improve over time.

Long COVID symptoms can affect every organ system in the body. The most common one is tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest, and you may also have brain fog. These symptoms relapse or worsen after episodes of physical or mental exertion – called postexertional malaise (PEM).

Other symptoms include headaches, weakness, long-term changes in taste and smell, tinnitus, recurrent fever, palpitations, shortness of breath, aches and pains, change to appetite, mood changes and more. Different people may be affected in varying degrees.

If you develop COVID-19 and feel you haven’t improved, then see your GP. Depending on your particular symptoms, they may request blood tests or investigations, such as a chest X-ray. They may also refer you to a Long COVID clinic for further investigations and treatments.

Medication may help and many people find support groups to be invaluable. Fatigue-management techniques, such as pacing, can be useful as well. These involve trying to avoid ‘boom and bust’, where you do perhaps too much on a good day and are then overcome with fatigue afterwards. Instead, you pace activities to conserve your available energy. Breathing techniques can also be helpful. If you are struggling with Long

COVID, please see your doctor.