Long-COVID refers to the recurring, relapsing or chronic symptoms caused by COVID-19 symptoms that do not dissipate after the 2-6 week period expected amongst those that recover from initial infection.
At this moment in time this condition is surrounded by guesswork. It is unclear exactly what percentage of cases will go on to develop chronic illness (conservative estimates range from 10-20%) and both underlying causes and predictors remain unknown.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary considerably between patients, but generally include one or more of the following: breathlessness, fever, headache, muscle ache, chest pain, fatigue, confusion (or ‘brain fog’), nausea, anxiety, depression, insomnia, heart palpitations, rashes, sore throat, earache and tinnitus. The severity of these wax and wane over time and can be underpinned by significant organ damage amongst severe cases. The nature of this complicates triage and treatment plans.
Struggling to live with it
Living with Long-COVID comes with enormous challenges, challenges that have only recently been recognised and have received little in the way of recourse. Very few can afford months at a time away from work and Long-COVID patients are typically anxious to return to work. However, this process poses significant risks to the patient if not handled with due care, compassion and medical observation – overexertion has been seen to exacerbate symptoms amongst this patient group, potentially jeopardising or delaying recovery as a result.
No reason for ‘Trial & Error’ treatment
As a Long-COVID patient myself, I know full well how difficult it is to balance aggressive relapses with even more aggressive deadlines! Not getting better from COVID – particularly as a young person – really shook my belief in myself, my wellbeing, my career and even the medical profession at large when I was at my very worst. Fortunately for me, my own symptoms have finally begun to subside but many aren’t as lucky. As such, I am fiercely passionate about ensuring that the best practice which has emerged out of Long-COVID literature, clinics and support groups is made accessible and actionable for everyone. By taking a proactive and evidence-based approach to Long-COVID, there is absolutely no reason that the management of this condition should come down to trial-and-error as it did for me.
Keep up to date and find out more about the growing community of Long-COVID suffers.
Meredith Leston is an Advisor of the Innovex Partners network. A Long-COVID sufferer for over a year, she is now committed to supporting those who struggle to cope both inside and outside of her working day.