WE have all had enough of Covid, and whether we have experienced the virus firsthand or have been fortunate enough to evade it (so far), it has irrevocably touched all our lives in some way.
While the variability and severity of Covid symptoms have been well documented, it is the post-Covid illness commonly referred to as ‘long Covid’, that researchers have been turning their attention to.
Aiming to maintain the public’s diligence in the fight against Covid, Dr Nirvana Luckraj, chief medical officer (CMO) of Healthdirect Australia, is spreading the word about long Covid, its symptoms and how to manage it, when and if signs arise.
With 10 to 20 percent of Covid sufferers developing the post-viral illness, onset usually occurs around twelve weeks after the initial infection, with variability in both symptoms and severity.
Dr Luckraj lists the following symptoms of long Covid as being, fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, memory difficulties and /or confusion, joint and muscle pain, anxiety and poor sleep patterns. While these symptoms are general, they can manifest quite differently from person to person with recurrent relapse a possibility.
While children and adolescents are less likely to develop long Covid, people with risk factors include those with chronic illness, the aged and disproportionately, females.
While Dr Luckraj states there is no one treatment or medication for long Covid, specialist help is available to patients by referral through their GP. Maintaining a balanced diet, sleeping well and staying properly hydrated are also key preventatives in combating the disease.
Further, reliable information about long Covid and how to manage it can be found on the HealthDirect website.
