CNN
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Covid-19 has become a chronic disease for tens of millions of people, and a costly one. In the U.S. alone, $386 billion in lost wages, savings and medical bills were accumulated in January, according to one estimate, and the disease is characterized by persistent symptoms that can involve multiple body systems.
On Tuesday, the Biden administration declared long-term Covid a national priority. He unveiled a plan to accelerate long-term Covid prevention, treatment and testing through a national inter-agency research action plan.
In February, the National Institutes of Health announced a $1.15 billion initiative Research into the disease was supported for four years.
It will take a lot of research to find answers to all your questions about long-term Covid.
There is no specific cure or treatment; not even a test. Scientists still don’t fully understand what these symptoms are, how long they last, or why some people get it and others don’t. They haven’t even given it a name yet: Long Covid, post-Covid, long haul, post-acute Covid or chronic Covid.
This Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Define long-term Covid as a health condition that persists for four weeks or more after contracting Covid-19. The WHO definition adds that symptoms cannot be explained by another diagnosis.
It is unclear how many people have been chronically infected with the new coronavirus. The estimated range is 5% 80% those infected with the coronavirus. This condition affects people of all ages, genders, races and ethnicities.
Some people may develop long-term Covid after a mild infection or even an infection without any symptoms. They may develop symptoms within a short time or years.
Scientists don’t fully agree on which symptoms are important for Covid.
This CDC The list of physical symptoms includes difficulty breathing, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, cough, chest and stomach pain, headache, fast heartbeat, etc. heart problems, High blood pressure, joint and muscle pain, tingling under the skin, fever, dizziness, rash, diarrhea, menstrual cycle changes, type 2 diabetes, hair loss, rash, blurred or double vision, and loss of smell or taste.
long term covid can also cause problems Mental Health.
People report unexplained mood swings, brain fog or difficulty thinking, memory problems, language difficulties, and general knowledge, and post-traumatic stress disorder.Dozens of studies also show that patients with long-term infection with the new coronavirus Report long frustrated and anxiety They didn’t before they got infected.Others report psychosis and suicidal behavior. Some studies have shown that people with long-term Covid have opioid use disorder and other substance use problems.
Some Learn suggests that the virus is associated with physical changes in the brain, which may be responsible for some of these problems.
symptom may come and go over time, depending on WHO. They can be so extreme that they are debilitating. In July, the U.S. government determined that chronic Covid could be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
not sure Why long-term covid develops. Since this disease can affect any organ system, there may be several causes.
In some people, it may come from direct cellular damage caused by Covid-19. For others, long-term problems such as muscle weakness or cognitive problems may develop after a prolonged hospital stay with Covid-19. Symptoms may also persist because the immune system overreacts and does not slow down after the infection clears.
Scientists are working on drugs that could treat Covid long-term, and testing to diagnose it.
Clinics to treat Covid have long been popping up across the country, although the CDC says primary care physicians may also be able to help.
Patient advocates say some doctors see patients’ concerns as psychological rather than physical.
CDC advises healthcare professionals listen and confirm The patient’s experience if they have long-term symptoms. He encouraged doctors to be particularly sensitive to marginalized people who are disproportionately affected by Covid-19, whose long-term symptoms may be underdiagnosed.
Physicians are also advised to work with patients to help identify achievable recovery goals. Supportive care can also be provided to patients, which may include physical or occupational therapy, mental health counseling, speech therapy, and even breathing exercises.
During treatment, people may be asked to keep diaries and calendars to document changes in their symptoms, especially if something seems to be triggering them.
a study An article published in January said one thing that could help people who have been chronically infected with Covid is if they haven’t been vaccinated. It found that vaccinated people were 54% less likely to report headaches, 64% less likely to report fatigue and 68% less likely to report muscle pain compared to unvaccinated people.
Doctors say the best way to avoid prolonged Covid is to not get Covid-19 in the first place. Some studies have shown that even with breakthrough infections, fully vaccinated people have a much lower risk of long-term Covid-19 infection.