Chronic Covid: What symptoms are found in patients?

Chronic Covid: What symptoms are found in patients?

Kathmandu's Lakpa Sherpa has just started melting while climbing the stairs.

She tells us how many times she was stunned after climbing two stairs.

It's been 2 months since he got rid of covid but he still has the same tiredness.

She says, "When I was in the hospital, I thought it would be fine after the report came back negative. But it seems like it's a problem that will never get better."

Dr. Sher Bahadur Pun has seen many patients like Sherpas.

A patient told him - "I am not crippled. I look fine. I eat food, walk but inside I am very difficult. I have not been able to live a normal life."

Some come with physical problems. Some mentally cry.

Even after recovering from Covid-19, some patients' health problems continue or some after three to four weeks.

This condition is called 'long' ie long covid.

What is chronic covid?

"Even after being free of infection from the corona virus (Covid-19), if people show symptoms of infection and other health problems for some time, it is chronic covid," Dr. Pun said, "These problems can be both physical and mental. And, they can continue to bother you for a long time. .”

He says that most people are afraid of the changes they see and feel in their bodies because most people do not know about the long-term covid.

After the second wave of coronavirus started in Nepal, the infection rate increased rapidly.

Along with that, the problem of chronic covid has also become widespread, says Dr. Neeraj Bam, a chest specialist at the Maharajganj University Teaching Hospital.

He is the 'focal person' of the hospital's Covid-19 management committee.

According to Dr. Bam, between the first and third week of May last year, 378 corona patients were admitted to the teaching hospital for treatment.

Most of the patients who were free of infection at that time are currently in the emergency and outpatient wards, with symptoms of chronic covid. "Some patients are undergoing treatment. Some are waiting. We are providing services based on the patient's health status and needs", said Dr. Bam.

What are the symptoms? What are the problems?

Doctors say that with the change of weather, the patients who are free of covid-19 infection are experiencing fever, runny nose and cough.

Most report extreme fatigue, body heat, joint pain, chills, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, and hair loss.

Many have reported heart palpitations, insomnia, increased fear and stress.

According to Dr. Bam, the amount of oxygen in the body of some patients who returned home from ICU and ventilator due to infection has decreased again.

Bam said that some of the patients who reached the teaching hospital with respiratory problems are being treated with the help of 'high flow oxygen'.

"People who had pneumonia during the infection have become sick again. They may have contracted pneumonia again", he said.

Since the second week of July, only 3 patients have died in the teaching hospital due to long covid.

After they went home free of infection, they came to the hospital for treatment after having health problems again.

Pulmonary and critical care expert Dr. Raksha Pandey.

She said that some patients' hearts were also affected due to blood clots in the blood vessels due to infection. Similarly, she informed that the muscles of some patients are very weak.

"It is very important to identify whether the lung spots are due to heart problems or due to muscle weakness. After that, treatment and doctor's consultation should be sought," she said.

There is a problem with those who have returned safely from the hospital. In addition, long-term covid symptoms were observed in those who were isolated at home and were not seriously ill due to infection. Pandey informed.

According to him, Multisystemic Inflammatory Syndrome (MSIC) has been observed in patients who are free of coronavirus infection.

She says that this disease, which was previously only seen in children, is now recognized in adults as well.

"Symptoms of this disease appear late, but before it is recognized, different parts of the body are swollen and affected," said Dr. Pandey said.

According to him, many people with long covid are complaining about the problem of hair loss.

He argues that due to serious diseases in the body, the balance of hormones is disturbed and the result may be related to hair loss.

Effects on mental health

Psychiatrist Dr. Saroj Prasad Ojha of the teaching hospital said that many people with long-term covid also have psychosocial problems.

According to him, symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia have been observed in patients who come to the hospital's OPD or emergency room.

Patients with symptoms of depression have decreased energy and happiness, inability to concentrate, and forgetfulness.

Symptoms of anxiety such as increased sweating, increased fear and anxiety, and increased heart rate have also been observed in patients who are free of corona infection.

Insomnia and restlessness were also seen in many. Ojha informed.

According to doctors, the mental health condition is different from person to person.

Since the corona virus epidemic, it has been seen that it is very difficult for those who have suffered great economic losses, lost their relatives or friends, and are unemployed.

The problem of various mental disturbances has been added to those who are infected or fear of infection.

"These problems are the reaction of the body in complex situations. So don't panic", Dr. Ojha said, "As long as the conditions are unfavorable, such problems can be seen. Until then, we need to emphasize on adopting a healthy lifestyle."

He recommends regular consultation with a doctor, healthy diet, exercise.

He says, 'According to the situation, some need counseling along with medication. For some, counseling and a healthy lifestyle can overcome this problem."

What is the treatment process?

So far in Nepal, 'prolonged covid' has not been identified as a serious problem.

Because of this, common people are ignorant about it and no procedural steps have been taken to treat it, says Dr. Infectious Disease Specialist. Sher Bahadur again.

That is why patients are confused about where to go for treatment, he said.

He said that due to the spread of covid-19 across the country, it is necessary to decide the treatment process for long-term covid treatment in government hospitals and most hospitals outside Kathmandu.

He said, "We need a guideline that will clarify where to go, who will provide counseling and treatment after the infection is cleared. And, after the necessary treatment, patients can return to work or normal daily life."

He believes that Long Covid can be seen as a challenge when the number of infected people is increasing daily.

"Hospitals should set up a unit to identify post/long covid or not and test patients. From there they can be referred to the doctor or department according to the problem", he says again, "now not only the plan but also the treatment protocol for long covid so that the patient does not suffer long-term effects." A blueprint should be created."

He is of the opinion that it is essential not only to get rid of infection but also to identify and treat other health problems.

How long will the long covid last?

Dr. says that this is part of the research. re.

He says, "Those who have been free of infection in the first wave say that various problems still persist, but it is not the case that it will last this long."

"International studies have shown that long-term covid infection will last for three to six months. For its proper management, studies are also necessary here," said Dr. Pun said.

Dr. Raksha Pandey says that problems like chest pain, cough, wheezing depend on how long the pneumonia remains.

Similarly, to reduce other physical and psychosocial problems, Dr. Pandey suggested that if you have regular consultation with the doctor, do not stop coming for follow-up, exercise regularly and have a balanced diet, the duration of the effects can be reduced.