What is Long Covid-19
Roughly 385 million cases of Covid-19 have been reported globally since the start of the pandemic 2 years ago, and about 25% of people who contracted Covid-19 have lingering symptoms that last anywhere from 1 to 12 months after initially contracting Covid-19.1 People with long Covid-19, otherwise referred to as “long haulers,” complain of a range of problems such as a lack of mental concentration to extreme fatigue with common everyday tasks.
Although long Covid-19 is still not fully understood, there have been some common signs and symptoms identified. If you are unsure about your condition, continue reading and/or consult your general practitioner for further assessment.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Since Covid-19 can affect a wide range of organs, many different symptoms exist.1 Common signs and symptoms have been identified associated with long Covid-19 but the most common include:
- General fatigue1
- Difficulty breathing1
- Muscle/joint pain1
- Chest pain and heart palpitations1
- Difficulty concentrating1
- Headaches1
A common complaint of long haulers is to have their symptoms aggravated with physical activity and everyday common tasks. It is important to keep in mind that women are affected by a 4:1 ratio when compared to men. Also, the initial severity of Covid-19 does not influence the possibility of developing long Covid-19, meaning whether a person was hospitalized and/or was treated with supplemental oxygen has no relationship with developing long Covid-19.2
Physical Therapy Treatment
Long Covid-19 can have a significant impact on many different aspects of everyday life due to the plethora of symptoms and how it is provoked with physical activity. Many people can have difficulty with everyday tasks such as cleaning, walking, and working. Others may be able perform everyday tasks but are limited with athletic activities such as running, swimming, and lifting weights.
Physical therapy can help by assessing your symptoms, physical capabilities, and current condition in order to create an individualized rehabilitation program for your specific needs and goals. The CDC recommends aerobic and resistance exercise to help improve physical capabilities following long Covid-19, but it needs to be done in a safe manner.3 It is important for your physical therapist to monitor your heart rate, oxygen saturation levels, and rate of perceived exertion while gradually improving your physical activity in order to maintain
your health and safety. Physical therapy can also help address any muscle and joint pains that are commonly associated with long Covid-19.
If you are having problems with long Covid-19 or have questions/concerns, please feel free contact us at 847-669-8800 or lakewoodmoffettpt@gmail.com to schedule a consultation with a physical therapist.
Dr. Jesse Larson PT, DPT
References
- Crook H, Raza S, Nowell J, Young M, Edison P. Long covid—mechanisms, risk factors, and management. British Medical Journal. 2021;3(74). doi:10.1136/bmj.n1648
- Halpin SJ, McIvor C, Whyatt G, et al. Postdischarge symptoms and rehabilitation needs in survivors of COVID-19 infection: A crosssectional evaluation. J Med Virol 2021;93:1013-22. doi:10.1002/ jmv.26368
- Management-evaluating and caring for patients with post-covid conditions. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/clinical-care/post-covid-management.ht ml. Published June 14, 2021. Accessed March 2, 2022.