Since April, the ME Association has been dealing with a steadily increasing number of people who have post COVID fatigue, or a long/post COVID syndrome that resembles the type of post viral fatigue syndrome that often precedes ME/CFS. Some are now being diagnosed as have post COVID ME/CFS
My personal view is that a significant proportion of people with long/post covid have a cluster of symptoms - ie activity induced fatigue, myalgia, cognitive dysfunction, dysautonomia, headaches, post extertional malaise - that are consistent with a post viral syndrome. Many of these people have an additional layer of on-going symptoms relating to end organ damage to their lungs, heart etc from the original COVID infection producing shortness of breath, palpitations, fevers etc
I have produced a self help management guide to post COVID fatigue, post COVID fatigue syndromes and post COVID ME/CFS - because most of the academic and media coverage is failing to provide any meaningful information on how to manage long/post COVID symptom
These are some of the important points we are picking up on how people with long/post COVID should be managed in general practice/primary care - where most are looking for help and not always getting it
patients need to be listened to, believed and not have their symptoms dismissed as anxiety (which is sadly happening)
GPs need to have empathy and explain about the uncertainties - especially about what may be the cause of their symptoms and the outcomes
GPs need to provide on going support - not just diagnose Long Covid and leave it at that
Patients with lung or heart symptoms need to have their lungs and heart physically examined in a face to face consultation - this cannot be done by phone or Zoom consultation!
Those with significant lung or heart symptoms may need to be referred to a specialist for further assessment and investigation - as there is plenty of emerging evidence to show that a significant proportion of the home managed group have developed lung and heart problems
There needs to be a multidisciplinary approach to management in primary care that brings in community physiotherapists, occupational therapists etc
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HSJ podcast: Long-COVID care cannot be delayed any longer (19 November 2020)
in Patient recovery
Posted