14 January 2022
Everyone recovers differently from COVID-19. Most people feel better after a few days and make a full recovery within four weeks. But for some, symptoms can last longer, sometimes for weeks or months after the initial infection.
Often called ‘long COVID’, or ‘post COVID-19 syndrome’, these ongoing symptoms can have a debilitating effect on your quality of life and day-to-day activities.
Doctors describe long COVID as symptoms that develop during or after an infection that continue for more than twelve weeks and can’t be explained by another cause
It seems that anyone can get long COVID - young or old, healthy or living with other health conditions. You can even get it if your initial COVID-19 symptoms were mild or symptom free.
According to the latest Government figures, there are 1.3 million people with symptoms of long COVID today.[1] With over 200 reported symptoms, long COVID seems to affect people differently.
The most common reported symptoms of long COVID include fatigue, loss of smell, shortness of breath and difficulty concentrating. Symptoms can also change over time or disappear completely and then come back.
While scientists are still working to understand the possible causes of long COVID, there is currently no specific treatment - but there are things you can do now to help manage some of the symptoms.
Fatigue is a completely normal part of the body’s response to fighting an infection like COVID-19. It can continue for some time after your body has recovered from the initial infection.
Severe fatigue is different to everyday tiredness. You may feel weak, tired, unsteady on your feet or unusually forgetful and you may not feel as refreshed after rest and sleep. If you find yourself needing a lot of extra rest throughout the day, you may want to consider checking that you have good postural support. Would you benefit from a new mattress perhaps? Or a bed wedge to help give you better postural support while you rest?
Over half of people with long COVID are living with fatigue.[2] Here are some tips and advice from our team of Occupational Therapists to help you manage your energy levels:
Whether it’s getting on with everyday tasks or spending time doing the things that bring you happiness, like a hobby or an activity you enjoy, the key is to pace yourself. Trying to go for a big push to get something done will only leave you exhausted and potentially unable to do other things. By pacing yourself, you’re more like to have enough energy to complete an activity. Work on a task until you feel tired rather than exhausted. For example, climbing the stairs: if you climb five steps, rest for 30 seconds, and repeat, you won’t need a long rest at the top and will feel less tired the next day.
Top tips:
If you're finding it more difficult to get around under your own power, don't be afraid to consider getting a mobility aid. A rollator with a seat, for example, could be a great option as it both offers support while you're walking and a useful place to sit and rest when you need to.
Take a look at the activities you do on a daily and weekly basis and try to spread them out. Consider changing the timings of when you do a certain task: for example, try taking a bath or shower in the evening rather than the morning when you’re in a rush. Do weekly activities like food shopping, cleaning or laundry on different days with a rest day in between.
Top tips:
Are all your daily activities really necessary? Consider:
Recovery from long COVID can be slow and frustrating. Try to stay motivated by setting achievable goals and tracking your progress. Listen to your body, gradually increase your activity levels (always check with your GP before starting a new exercise regime), and be kind to yourself.
If you're worried about any symptoms of long COVID, or new or worsening symptoms, it's important to contact your GP.
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