Sure Signs You May Have Post-Acute COVID Syndrome, Says Doctor

Maybe you thought you had COVID and were never tested because they were not available or accessible at the time. Or maybe you got rid of the early symptoms like allergies, colds, or the seasonal flu. Due to various factors, there are many survivors of COVID whose initial infections have never been confirmed. And, unfortunately, many of them still suffer from health complications.

Long transporter syndrome, officially known as post-acute COVID syndrome (PACS), consists of men, women, and other gender identities of all ages who still show symptoms weeks to months afterward. their initial infections. Denyse Lutchmansingh, MD, clinical manager of the post-Covid-19 recovery program at Yale Medicine, explains that while “symptom complexes vary from person to person,” there are a few in particular to watch out for. Read on to see what they are—And to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs That You Have Had Coronavirus.

Shortness of breath is one of the most recognizable symptoms of an initial infection with COVID-19. And, says Dr. Lutchmansingh, there is also one that continues for long haul. John Hopkins Medicine explains that shortness of breath occurs when you feel like you can’t get enough air or that your chest is tight. With post-acute COVID syndrome, it can happen anytime, even lying in bed or sitting on the couch.

Another common symptom of COVID-19 and post-acute COVID syndrome is fatigue, according to Dr. Lutchmansingh. According to a recent study on long carriers, this type of extreme exhaustion is the most common reported by the group, experienced by 58%. “It is present even after 100 days of the first symptom of acute COVID-19,” the researchers explained. Symptoms seen in post-COVID-19 patients resemble chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), “which includes the presence of severe disabling fatigue, pain, neurocognitive impairment, compromised sleep, symptoms suggestive of autonomic dysfunction and worsening of overall symptoms after minor increases in physical and / or cognitive activity, ”they explain.

Many long-term carriers suffer from “exercise intolerance,” according to Dr. Lutchmansingh. These first three “are the most frequently reported and present significant obstacles to resuming normal activities,” she explains. This condition is also called polypnea, and the same survey reported that one in five long carriers experience difficulty breathing after exertion.

Dr Lutchmansingh points out that “the symptoms of post-acute COVID syndrome are multisystem and often include cardiovascular symptoms.” One of the most significant is chest pain, experienced by 16% of long-haul travelers according to the survey. According to Mayo ClinicSudden, sharp chest pain – aka pleurisy – may indicate that the lung walls are inflamed. This can signal pneumonia or other types of infection.

Another cardiovascular symptom of long transporter syndrome is heart palpitations, reveals Dr. Lutchmansingh. The Mayo Clinic describes them as “the feeling of having a heart beating, beating or beating rapidly”. According to the survey, 11 percent of long-term carriers experience heart palpitations “Stress, exercise, medications or, rarely, a medical condition can trigger them,” they explain.

There are also a number of neurological symptoms reported by long-acting carriers. One of the biggest complaints is difficulty remembering, Dr. Lutchmansingh says.

Another neurological sign that you may have already had COVID is if you are having trouble finding the right words. The Mayo Clinic explains that the medical term for this is aphasia, a condition that robs you of the ability to communicate. “It can affect your ability to speak, write and understand language, both verbal and written,” they write. Although it usually happens suddenly after a stroke or head injury, “it can also come gradually from a slow-growing brain tumor or a disease that causes progressive and permanent (degenerative) damage.

If you stutter more than usual, it could be a neurological manifestation of post-acute COVID syndrome, says Dr. Lutchmansingh. Many long-haul travelers report developing a new stuttering.

Dr Lutchmansingh highlights another neurological symptom present in initial COVID-19 infections and post-acute COVID syndrome: altered taste and smell. According to some studies, some people still struggle with these senses several months after their initial infections.

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If you are suffering from any of the symptoms above and think you could be a long haul, contact your primary care doctor immediately. Keep in mind that many doctors are still uninformed about post-acute COVID syndrome and you may need to defend your health. There are also post-COVID clinics across the country staffed with specialists, so if your regular doctor isn’t treating you, consider contacting them. Additionally, many long-haul carriers have found solutions through online support groups, such as Survivor Corps on Facebook, a group of more than 153,000 people who identify as long-haul. And to get through this pandemic to the best of your health, don’t miss them 35 places where you’re most likely to catch COVID.