This is part of an interview with DrJanet Diaz by Vismita Gupta-Smith posted 30 July 2021
If you have recovered from COVID-19 but are still experiencing certain symptoms you could have post COVID-19 condition or "long COVID".
Some of the most common symptoms of long COVID, include shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction, which people call brain fog, as well as fatigue. Those are the three most common. However, there have been more than 200 symptoms that actually have been reported. Other symptoms that patients may experience include chest pain, trouble speaking, anxiety or depression, muscle aches, fever, loss of smell, loss of taste.
How long this condition lasts is still not completely clear. It has been described that the condition can last three months, as long as six months, and potentially up to nine months . Any patient who develops post COVID-19 condition should go seek care.
The care pathways can include your primary care provider as well as relevant specialist rehab professionals, social care workers, psychosocial workers, mental health professionals.
Preventing COVID-19 is the best way to prevent the development of post COVID-19 condition or long COVID. The use of vaccines we know reduces hospitalisation, reduces mortality, and so all those that are eligible should do that. Public health measures such as mask-wearing in the appropriate places, physical distancing, hand-washing, are also extremely important to prevent COVID-19.
I also heard a Dr from the US mention the use of "Steroid Bombs", large doses of steroids in treating some of the symptoms, and in my experience with Lipoedema, taking even the smallest dose of steroids I gained 3 kg/6 lb, so my theory is trying your hardest not to get this virus so we don't need to deal with the aftermath of having had it.
