Those who have been infected with the virus that caused COVID-19 may experience long-term effects, known as long COVID or post-COVID conditions. This refers to a range of diseases that a person may contract or be at a risk for because they had first contracted COVID.
Experts around the globe believe that long COVID will affect not only the quality of life but also the economy, the ability to be a productive member of society and other aspects of life. This COVID doctor in Kolkata investigates into the details of long COVID and its impact.
Firstly, there is a unanimous concession that long COVID is going to be the most complex and challenging aspect of life in a post-pandemic world. Doctors and public health care systems are all stymied with the host of long COVID problems that are coming their way.
Symptoms of Long COVID
The general symptoms of long COVID are brain fog and fatigue. This is also known as a malaise and is commonly a very challenging condition to deal with. Here are some of the other symptoms:
Neurological symptoms
- Change in smell or taste
- Depression or anxiety
- Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”)
- Dizziness when you stand up (lightheadedness)
- Headache
- Pins-and-needles feelings
- Sleep problems
Respiratory and heart symptoms
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations)
Other symptoms
- Changes in menstrual cycles
- Joint or muscle pain
- Rash
Digestive symptoms
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
Out of these conditions, fatigue is probably reversible. But the rest of the conditions require the attention of doctors which the worldwide public health system is finding it hard to cope up with at present.
We Need Scalable Healthcare Solutions
So, to combat this challenging scenario, health experts are saying that we require a scalable healthcare solution to the problem. Few services have been developed for long COVID. Moreover, international governments have reduced TB testing, HIV testing, and immunization which are routine healthcare services in order to cope with long COVID problems. COVID doctors in Kolkata too are witnessing these problems.
Long COVID symptoms require attention, and though it may be a burden to the public health system, governments have to take measures to ensure that patients do not suffer alone.
Wrapping Up
Apart from providing proper healthcare, this COVID doctor in Kolkata also understands the importance of studying the population, conducting standardized tests so that treatment can be specific and precise.
Furthermore, understanding the underlying cause of symptoms is also going to be a challenge. Was it a post COVID sequela or is it independent of the same? These and many more doubts will continue to plague the medical community for the years to come. Hence, the need of the hour is to collect more data on what long COVID really is, so that proper plans can be made to give the public the care that they need.