"COVID is over, but the symptoms persist: Introducing the condition of 'Long COVID'" by Dr. Siwaporn Charoenthat, Internal Medicine Specialist at PatRangsit Hospital

The condition known as "Long COVID" or alternatively referred to as "Post-COVID-19" is the presence of symptoms that persist after recovering from a COVID-19 infection. These long-term symptoms can continue to affect patients, even if the virus is no longer detected in their tests. Common symptoms include fatigue, easy exhaustion, shortness of breath, headaches, weakness in the limbs, body aches, cough, chest tightness, and even insomnia, depression, and anxiety. These symptoms can occur in 30-80% of individuals who have had a COVID-19 infection. The duration of these symptoms can be prolonged, and the exact cause is not yet clearly understood. It is believed to be related to the immune response of the body, which leads to inflammation in various tissues and organs.

Since the symptoms of Long COVID can manifest after recovering from COVID-19, if you experience abnormal symptoms or feel different than before after overcoming the disease, it is recommended to undergo a health check-up at the Rangsit Medical Hospital's Health Screening Center. We offer special health check-up packages after COVID-19 at a discounted price to identify and provide prompt treatment to restore you to a normal state of health.

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LONG COVID is a condition characterized by lingering symptoms after the initial COVID-19 infection. It can manifest in various parts of the body, with the most common symptoms being tiredness, decreased concentration, and fatigue. These symptoms may be accompanied by anxiety, depression, muscle pain, joint pain, fever, cough, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, amnesia, indigestion, diarrhea, rash, and palpitations. These persistent symptoms can significantly reduce the quality of life.

How common is LONG COVID?
Typically, the early symptoms of COVID-19 last for no more than two weeks, but some studies have found that symptoms can persist beyond this timeframe, leading to what is known as "post-acute COVID-19 symptoms." Nearly 80% of patients experience at least one symptom. During follow-up, it has been observed that 2.3-10% of patients continue to have symptoms for more than three months, which is referred to as chronic COVID-19. Since COVID-19 is an emerging disease, the duration of LONG COVID symptoms is still unclear. However, it has been found that some individuals may experience continuous symptoms for more than 9-12 months.

Can children experience LONG COVID?

LONG COVID can also occur in children. They may exhibit physical symptoms such as tiredness, joint pain, muscle pain, chest pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and palpitations, which can resemble symptoms experienced by adults. However, diagnosing LONG COVID in children is more challenging than in adults due to difficulties in communication and understanding of symptoms, especially when neurological symptoms are present, such as decreased concentration, memory problems, learning difficulties, or psychological issues. Reports indicate that 4.6% of children infected with COVID-19 still have residual symptoms, indicating LONG COVID. It is worth noting that there is also a condition called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), characterized by inflammation of multiple organs, which can occur after COVID-19 infection in children. MIS-C typically presents with more severe symptoms than LONG COVID.

Treatment Given the wide range of symptoms associated with LONG COVID, patients may need to undergo investigations to identify the underlying cause and receive ongoing medical supervision. In order to determine the cause, patients should assess whether there were complications from COVID-19 since the initial infection or if there are unrelated disorders present, such as diabetes that developed after COVID infection. However, treatment for LONG COVID is primarily based on managing symptoms and addressing any detected abnormalities. As the exact cause is still unclear, one way to prevent LONG COVID is to protect oneself from COVID-19 infection through vaccination.