Know About Long Covid
Long Covid, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), refers to the long-term health effects experienced by some individuals who have recovered from COVID-19, even if their initial illness was mild or moderate.
Symptoms of Long Covid can vary widely and may include fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty sleeping, brain fog, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and loss of sense of smell or taste, among others. Some individuals may also experience psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The cause of Long Covid is not fully understood, but it is believed to be related to the immune system’s response to the initial infection, which may result in ongoing inflammation and damage to various organs and tissues.
The treatment of Long Covid is primarily focused on managing symptoms, such as through the use of medications, physical therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). However, more research is needed to fully understand the condition and develop effective treatments.
Preventing the initial infection by getting vaccinated and following public health guidelines, such as wearing masks and practicing physical distancing, is the best way to reduce the risk of developing Long Covid.
A study of 2.4 million health records suggests the World Health Organization’s set of 33 long covid symptoms may be too limited
Hair loss, reduced libido, and ejaculation difficulties may be unrecognized symptoms of long covid, according to a study of 2.4 million electronic health records.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines long covid as a set of 33 symptoms that usually develop within three months of a SARS-CoV-2 infection, with the symptoms lasting at least two months with no alternative explanation.
Studies into long-time coronavirus vary in their definition of the condition but generally suggest it affects about 5 to 20 percent of people who have had coronavirus-19. These studies also suggest that long-time virus encompasses a wider range of symptoms than is officially recognized by the WHO.
We explored the effect of coronavirus-19 on 115 symptoms of which we found 62 symptoms to be statistically significantly associated with coronavirus -19 at 12 weeks [or more] after infection,” says Anuradha Subramanian at the University of Birmingham in the UK. “Some of these new symptoms, like reduced libido, sexual dysfunction, and hair loss, are really new. They had not been attributed to covid-19 in the longer term before.
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