Did you overcome the coronavirus, but still don’t feel quite well? Although tens of thousands of Peruvians are testing positive daily for COVID-19 In this third wave, most of those infected have mild symptoms, although severe cases are also recorded. In both situations, however, sequelae lasting weeks and even months can be recorded.
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So far in the pandemic in Peru, until January 26, 2022, the Ministry of Health has added more than 3.1 million cases, of which 204 thousand have died, mostly people within the risk group.
The more serious the coronavirus disease has been, the greater the probability that the patient will have later difficulties, details the pulmonologist at the Cayetano Heredia National Hospital, Oscar Gayoso, in statements to Andina news agency. To what extent can sequelae affect and persist?
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON SEQUELS OF COVID-19?
Pulmonologist Oscar Gayoso indicates that the most common consequences of COVID-19 are:
- Feeling of general malaise.
- The inability to concentrate.
- Heart palpitations.
- Tiredness greater than usual.
- Lung symptoms (prolonged cough or bronchospasm).
serious cases
- Damage to lung tissue: the use of medicinal oxygen in high concentrations, although it saves lives, can form free radicals that affect that part of the organ.
- Granulomas in the trachea: for cases of patients who had an endotracheal tube placed.
HOW LONG CAN SOME SEQUELS LAST?
- Cough: Between 60 and 70% of patients will have some degree of this symptom 15 days after infection. 15% will still cough, to the point of preventing them from socializing and leading a normal life.
- Tiredness or fatigue: 30% of patients will present this characteristic 15 or 30 days after going through the covid episode.
WHAT SEQUELS CAN CHILDREN HAVE FROM COVID-19?
The pulmonologist Oscar Gayoso indicated that the most common sequel in children, he added, is the multisystem inflammatory disease associated with covid, an immune response not as acute as in the most difficult moment of infection. It inflames the whole body.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO RECOVER FROM COVID-19
Pulmonologist Oscar Gayoso gave recommendations for timely recovery after COVID-19:
- Good nutrition.
- Exercises.
- Vaccination: helps to solve the issue of fatigue.
- Do not abuse CT scans: it exposes the lung to a lot of radiation.
- Visit a rehab doctor.
WHAT ARE THE NEUROLOGICAL SEQUELS OF COVID-19?
The neurological sequelae can be various, according to a study published by the journal Science on the impact of the coronavirus on the central nervous system. These are:
- Confusion (called “brain fog”).
- Stroke (risk of cerebrovascular accident).
- neuromuscular disorders.
- Concentration problems.
- Headache.
- Sensory alterations. (altered skin sensitivity)
- Depression.
- Intractable fatigue.
- Psychosis.
These complications can persist for months after infection, sometimes as part of a persistent COVID picture.
WHAT PREVENTIVE MEASURES SHOULD WE TAKE TO AVOID GETTING COVID-19?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most effective measures that everyone can take to reduce the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 is to keep a distance of at least one meter from other people, wear a well-fitting mask, open windows to ventilate rooms, avoid crowded or poorly ventilated places, keep hands clean, cough and sneeze into the bend of the elbow or into a disposable handkerchief, and get vaccinated when their turn comes .
