National Institute for Health Research published a report about living with COVID-19 on October 15, 2020. This is a wide-ranging review of the current state of scientific knowledge. But we were happy to find an article by Elizabeth Marsh in BMJ Journal we could get our minds around. That’s because it addresses the question could long COVID be four different things?
How Could Long COVID Be Four Different Things?
Long COVID is a term that crept up on us to describe sometimes long-lingering symptoms of the disease. The author’s main take-out is those symptoms may take one of four different syndromes that remain with us after we technically healed.
National Institute for Health Research first reviewed documentary evidence. Then it met with a variety of previously infected people. This raised the question ‘could long COVID be four different things in their mind’. Because this was their conclusion:
‘We are not saying that we have identified four definitive syndromes. We are raising this as a possibility, and a possible explanation for why so many people feel they are not being believed or heard and are not getting access to supportive treatments.’
The Four Different Syndromes of COVID-19 Lingering
1… Permanent damage to critical heart and lung organs
2… Post-intensive care syndrome problems that remain
3… Post-viral fatigue symptoms of tiredness and weakness
4… Long-term COVID-19 syndrome postponing full recovery
The National Institute of Health found this trend in people who went to hospital, and also who recovered at home. Moreover, both groups felt carers were overlooking their problems in the imperative to help terminally-ill patients. The National Institute’s closing remarks are as follows:
‘It is becoming clear that there is a significant health and social care need that is likely to grow as more people are exposed to COVID-19. This need is likely to become a permanent demand on health and social care services, even after the pandemic subsides.’
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Preview Image: Early Signs of Long COVID?
