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Long covid: How can the world cope with it?
Articles
Long covid: How can the world cope with it?
Articles

Long covid: How can the world cope with it?

The long covid and how the world coped with it?

Prolonged covid, also known as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (abbreviation PASC, Post-acute Sequelae of COVID-19), is a set of symptoms for health problems that persist or appear after recovery from an acute illness Covid-19 after 12 weeks of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This condition can last for several weeks to months after recovery from the original infection, or even longer. These problems can be different and can manifest in different ways.

Image: SARS-CoV-2 virus particle (Wiki).

Frequency of PASC and risk factors

PASC is estimated to affect up to 30% of people who have experienced Covid-19. Risk factors for developing PASC include:

  • more severe course of Covid-19
  • seniority
  • chronic diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or diabetes
  • obesity
  • smoking
  • pregnancy

Symptoms

Symptoms of prolonged covid can be very varied and include:

  1. Fatigue: Chronic fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of prolonged covid and can have a significant impact on the daily life of affected individuals.
  2. Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing and a feeling of shortness of breath may persist even after recovery from an acute infection.
  3. Pain: Some people experience joint, muscle and headache pain, which can be intense and persistent.
  4. Sleep disorders : Insomnia or other sleep problems are common in people with long covid.
  5. Cognitive problems: This cluster of symptoms, known as the “Covid fog,” includes difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and disorientation.
  6. Heart problems: Some individuals with prolonged covid may suffer from heart problems such as fast or irregular heartbeats, high blood pressure or inflammation of the heart muscle.
  7. Inflammation of the lungs: Inflammatory processes in the lungs can persist even after recovery from an acute infection, leading to shortness of breath and chest pain.
  8. Gastrointestinal problems: Some people with prolonged covid experience problems with the digestive tract, such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation or loss of appetite.
  9. Depression and anxiety: Psychological problems such as depression, anxiety or mood swings are often associated with prolonged covid.
  10. Hair loss: Some patients experience increased hair loss during prolonged covid.

Duration of health problems

Prolonged covid is a condition characterized by long-term sequelae occurring or persisting after the typical recovery period from covid-19. The exact nature of the symptoms and the number of people who experience long – term symptoms are unknown and vary according to the definition used _ 1 .

According to a survey by the British Office for National Statistics , about 14 % of people who tested positive for SARS – CoV – 2 experienced one or more symptoms only 3 months _ _ _ _ 1 . A study from the University of Oxford of 273,618 people who had covid – 19, mainly from the United States , showed that about 37 % had one or more signs for 3 to 6 months after diagnosis _ _ _ _ _ 1 .

Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosing PASC can be difficult because the symptoms can be similar to those of other diseases. The doctor will therefore try to rule out other possible causes of the difficulties. As of March 2023, there is no specific drug directly intended to treat long covid. Doctors are trying to address the situation and alleviate individual symptoms of prolonged covid using various drugs and therapies that are already used to treat other conditions. Doctors may prescribe medications to help improve breathing, fatigue, or other symptoms. In some cases, hospitalization may also be necessary.

Some of the treatment options include:

  1. Symptomatic treatment: Doctors may prescribe drugs that relieve pain, reduce fever, or improve digestion, depending on the specific needs of the patient.
  2. Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help people with prolonged covid improve their physical fitness, increase lung capacity, and improve muscle and joint function.
  3. Psychotherapy: Individual or group psychotherapy can be helpful for those struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues associated with prolonged covid.
  4. Treatment of sleep disorders: For patients suffering from insomnia or other sleep problems, sleep medications may be prescribed or methods for better sleep hygiene may be recommended.
  5. Cardiac care: For those with cardiovascular problems, regular cardiology care and possibly medication to manage heart problems may be important.

Treatment of prolonged covid is often multidisciplinary and requires an individualized approach that takes into account the diversity of symptoms and needs of each patient. Research into the long covid continues and experts hope to be able to find better targeted drugs and therapies in the future.

 

Can some over-the-counter medications help?

Some over-the-counter medications can help alleviate some of the symptoms of prolonged covid, but it is important to consult your doctor about the use of these medications to ensure proper treatment and to avoid possible adverse interactions with other medications or medical conditions. Some common over-the-counter medications that can help relieve symptoms include:

  1. Analgesics and antipyretics: Medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can help relieve pain and reduce fever. It is important to follow the recommended dosage and consult your doctor if you have other health problems or are taking other medications.
  2. Cough and cold medicines: Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines can help relieve some symptoms, such as a stuffy nose or dry cough. Again, it is important to consult your doctor about the use of these drugs and follow the recommended dosage.
  3. Antihistamines: If you have allergies, antihistamines can help relieve some symptoms, such as a stuffy nose, sneezing, or itchy eyes. However, it is important to discuss the use of antihistamines with your doctor, especially if you are taking other medications.
  4. Vitamins and supplements: Certain vitamins and supplements can help support overall health and the immune system. However, it is important to consult a doctor before taking any vitamins or supplements, as some may interact with other medications or cause side effects.

Please note that over the counter medicines are not a cure for long covid as a whole, but they can help alleviate some symptoms. It is always important to consult a doctor and follow his recommendations.

Use of antihistamines

Antihistamines are medications that are commonly used to treat allergic reactions and symptoms associated with allergies. Antihistamines can help relieve the debilitating symptoms of prolonged covid in some people. According to a new case report , antihistamines seem to help a certain group of patients with prolonged covid _ _ _ _ _ _ 1 . For example, one woman took diphenhydramine for her allergy and felt a sudden improvement. In the end , she confided in her suffering from antihistamines to her doctor , who did not forbid her , but only advised her to try other – hydroxyzine – and adjusted dosage 2 . _ _ _

However , it is important to remember that every person is different and what works for one person may not work for another. I recommend to consult a doctor before taking any medicine for long covid.

 

Mechanism of action of antihistamines

To understand the mechanism of action of antihistamines, it is important to first understand the role of histamine in allergic reactions.

Histamine is a biogenic amine released by white blood cells called mast cells during allergic or inflammatory reactions. Histamine binds to specific receptors (histamine receptors) on the surface of cells, leading to a number of physiological effects that include:

  1. Dilation of blood vessels, causing redness and increased blood flow in the affected area.
  2. An increase in the permeability of blood vessels, which leads to swelling and inflammation.
  3. Stimulation of nerve endings, causing itching and pain.
  4. Contraction of smooth muscles, such as those in the bronchi, leading to bronchoconstriction and shortness of breath.

Antihistamines work by blocking histamine receptors, preventing histamine from binding to them and causing these reactions. There are four types of histamine receptors (H1, H2, H3 and H4), but antihistamines usually refer to drugs that block H1 receptors, which play a key role in allergic reactions.

 

Antihistamines are divided into two generations:

  1. First generation: These antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine , chlorphenamine , and promethazine , tend to cause drowsiness because they can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect histamine receptors in the brain. They can also interact with several other medications and have anticholinergic effects.
  2. Second generation: These antihistamines, such as cetirizine , loratadine , and fexofenadine , have less of a tendency to cause drowsiness because they cross the blood-brain barrier in very small amounts. These drugs generally have fewer side effects and interactions with other drugs.

 

It is important to discuss the use of antihistamines with your doctor, especially if you are taking other medications or have other health problems. Your doctor can recommend an appropriate antihistamine and dosage depending on your symptoms and medical condition.

Please note that antihistamines are not a cure for long covid as a whole, but they can help relieve some symptoms. Research into the long covid is still ongoing, and experts hope to be able to find better targeted drugs and therapies in the future.

Prevention

The best prevention of PASC is vaccination against covid-19. Vaccination can help reduce the risk of a severe course of the disease and thus the risk of developing PASC.

In PASC research

PASC is still a relatively new phenomenon that is still being researched. Scientists are working to better understand the causes and course of PASC in order to develop effective treatments.

Additional information

PASC can have a significant impact on the quality of life of affected people. It can lead to job loss, social isolation and other problems.

If you have any persistent problems after experiencing covid-19, it is important to seek medical help. The doctor will help you assess the cause of the difficulties and suggest an appropriate treatment.

Here is some more information about PASC:

  • The symptoms of PASC can be varied and can change over time.
  • PASC can be a chronic disease that can last for months or even years.
  • There is no cure for PASC, but treatment can help relieve symptoms.