Corona: What should be considered with Long Covid and Post Covid?
Well-known TV doctor explains
Created: 03/23/2022, 09:57
By: Jennifer Battaglia
Many people still suffer from long-term consequences such as chronic tiredness or exhaustion weeks or months after recovering from a corona infection (symbol image).
© picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Zentralbild |
Oliver Killig
Although an infection with the omicron variant is usually mild, those affected can still suffer from long-term effects.
The well-known TV doctor Doc Esser explains about Long Covid and Post Covid.
Munich – Currently, more people than ever are infected with the corona virus.
On Tuesday (March 22), the Robert Koch Institute* reported over 220,000 new infections across Germany.
Although the disease with the omicron variant is mild in most cases, those affected can still suffer from long-term effects.
The well-known TV doctor Doc Esser explains about Long Covid and Post Covid.
Corona: Women in particular are affected by long-term effects
In an interview with
Express
, lung specialist Dr.
Heinz-Wilhelm Esser (48) on what convalescents have to pay attention to after a corona infection.
Long Covid and Post Covid primarily affect young women, according to Doc Esser.
"Although this group had a mild course of the corona virus or even no symptoms at all, they then suddenly realize that their chest hurts, for example," he says.
Difference between Long Covid and Post Covid:
Long Covid
refers to complaints that exist at least four weeks after infection.
Post Covid
refers to complaints that exist at least twelve weeks after an infection.
Those affected would often also notice cardiac arrhythmias in the form of "palpitations" or shortness of breath.
In addition, many felt very exhausted.
Such symptoms could also occur after influenza, i.e. the flu.
"But with such a duration and in such variety, we do not know that from other diseases," says Doc Esser.
Read here how a woman with post-Covid syndrome fares.
Corona: When can you do sports again?
When asked when people who are ill can exercise after a corona infection, the doctor advises caution: "My urgent recommendation is not to start again until ten days after you have fully recovered." pack too full.
"It's better to take it easy and just go for a walk before you start exercising."
According to Doc Esser, anyone who wants to get back into a normal sports program but doesn't feel fit through and through should first see their family doctor.
A stress ECG and an examination could be carried out there.
"But if you really want to get back into performance and want to get from 0 to 100, you should have a more extensive examination and even consider an MRI scan of the heart in order to be able to completely rule out cardiac involvement."
The Post-Covid Syndrome
The post-Covid syndrome consists of various symptoms that occurred after infection with the coronavirus and are still present more than twelve weeks after the illness.
According to Doc Esser, patients complain of the following symptoms:
- Fatigue = exhaustion (tiredness and exhaustion)
- Air hunger, a form of shortness of breath
- Brain Fog = "brain fog", ie mood swings, dizziness, memory loss and concentration difficulties
- Disorders of smell and taste
Corona: Vaccinated people are less likely to develop post-Covid syndrome
According to the doctor, those who have been vaccinated and boosted are much less likely to develop post-Covid syndrome or only for a short time.
"But it can't be completely ruled out," he says.
To minimize the risk of long-term illness, Doc Esser strongly advises everyone to get vaccinated.
The doctor is critical of the planned easing: Long Covid and Post Covid sufferers are all 25 to 45 year olds, all of whom were previously very strong.
"Looking at this clientele, I'm worried that we'll see a dramatic increase again and have many corona courses that are considered mild, but result in 'long-Covid' symptoms," said the doctor.
One way to help post-Covid patients could be a certain type of blood washing.
So far, however, the therapy has not been financed by health insurance companies.
Studies could change that in the future.
(jb)
