Warning signs of Covid-19 aftereffects
According to experts, if F0 symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, chest pain, shortness of breath, hair loss, delayed menstruation, persistent cough, and diarrhea last for more than two months, they should see a doctor for treatment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines the syndrome.Post-Covid-19This typically occurs in individuals who have been infected for three months, with symptoms appearing and lasting for at least two months without being explained by other diagnoses.
Dr. Hoang Bui Hai, Deputy Director of the Covid-19 Treatment Hospital (Hanoi Medical University Hospital), said that Covid-19 sequelae can manifest in one or more characteristics. Among them, fatigue, weakness, and reduced endurance are the most common, whether the patient was hospitalized or not. This condition usually improves over time but can last for three months or longer, especially in severely ill patients who have been in intensive care.
Other symptoms include shortness of breath lasting two to three months, even up to 12 months; chronic cough lasting two to three weeks; chest discomfort; changes in taste and smell; neurological impairment; insomnia, joint pain, headache, rhinitis, digestive disorders, poor appetite, dizziness; muscle pain, hair loss, sweating, and diarrhea...
Some symptoms resolve more quickly than others, such as fever and chills; olfactory and secretion-related symptoms usually resolve within two to four weeks; fatigue, shortness of breath, chest tightness, cognitive impairment, and psychological effects can last from two to twelve months.
Furthermore, recovered COVID-19 patients are prone to stress, depression, anxiety disorders, etc., with anxiety being the most common. Psychological symptoms improve over time but can be prolonged, especially for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, who are at a higher risk of developing persistent mental health problems.
According to Doctor Hai, the time it takes for symptoms to resolve seems to depend on pre-existing risk factors as well as the severity of the acute illness and the symptoms experienced by the F0 case.
"For mild cases, it takes about two weeks, while for severe cases requiring hospitalization, it can take two to three months, or even longer," Mr. Hai said.
Dr. Than Manh Hung, from the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, also stated that post-COVID-19 sequelae are numerous, but most are mild. "You should only seek medical attention when you experience symptoms that affect your health or cause you anxiety; don't go for checkups just because it's trendy," Dr. Hung advised.
In children, symptoms are less frequent, and the rate of severe illness is lower, so there are very few studies addressing post-COVID-19 conditions. One noteworthy manifestation is...Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), but this percentage is very low.
Symptoms of MIS-C include: high fever, vomiting, digestive disorders; some children experience headaches and loose stools. Additionally, even after recovering from COVID-19, children's bodies are still weak, so parents should avoid strenuous activity and gradually increase physical activity. If your child remains tired afterward, along with symptoms such as sleep disturbances, worsening diarrhea, etc., you should see a doctor.
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| Doctors at Duc Giang General Hospital examine and treat patients with COVID-19 sequelae. Photo: Chi Le |
The doctor noted,Long-CovidThis is a symptom that can persist for up to three months in patients who have recovered from Covid-19.Post-CovidThese are new symptoms that appear after three months (since contracting the disease) and cannot be explained by other diagnoses. Sequelae are organ damage caused by Covid-19, such as blood clots, myocarditis, and pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, symptoms appearing one to two months after the onset of Covid-19 are usually signs of prolonged Covid-19 rather than post-Covid-19 complications, and "people shouldn't worry too much."
Most patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms do not need testing after recovery, Dr. Hai advised. However, those recovering from severe illness, who have been discharged from the hospital, or those with unexplained, persistent symptoms should undergo tests such as: complete blood count; blood biochemistry: electrolytes, blood urea and creatinine, liver function, blood albumin, etc.
Additionally, depending on the severity, doctors may order an electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, CT scan of the lungs, echocardiogram, respiratory function test, arterial blood gas analysis, and a 6-minute walk test.
When visiting a doctor after a COVID-19 check-up, patients should bring any previous health records (if available) for the doctor's reference.
