Asian Voice got in touch with Asthma UK- British Lung Foundation to ask some specific questions to a team of experts related to Long Covid. Below are some excerpts from the Q&A.
Q - What is the immediate impact of Long Covid on our respiratory system?
Long Covid is used to describe signs and symptoms that last for longer than 4 weeks after getting Covid-19. Long Covid can affect your whole body and you may experience lots of different symptoms, either at once or at different times.
Symptoms can include:
- breathlessness
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- problems with memory and concentration (known as ‘brain fog’)
- a cough that’s been ongoing since you’ve had Covid-19.
Other common Long Covid symptoms can include:
- difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
- dizziness
- pins and needles
- joint pain
- chest pain or tightness; heart palpitations (these may need urgently investigating, so it’s important to seek medical help as soon as possible)
- depression and anxiety
- tinnitus, earaches
- feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite
- a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat, changes to sense of smell or taste
- rashes
If anyone is experiencing Long Covid symptoms, the first thing they should do is speak to their GP. They will first try to find out if there are any other possible causes of these symptoms. Many from the BAME community will have experienced Long Covid.
Q - Even while we're vaccinated, what kind of precautions do Long Covid survivors in specific need to take in order to fully recover? What are the possible symptoms that they must look out for?
How long your recovery takes depends on many factors – it could take weeks or months. Long Covid isn’t the same for everyone, so you may need different care and support from other people who have had it. You can find more advice on how to deal with breathlessness if you have Long Covid on the BLF website, which includes videos with techniques you can practice. Tiredness (fatigue) is common after having Covid-19. Some people might feel a little bit tired, while others might feel very tired, to the point of exhaustion. You might find that your tiredness comes and goes. There are plenty of things you can do to help your fatigue, including getting yourself into a routine and slowly getting more active.
Q - What is your assessment of the NHS when it comes to being equipped to handle Long Covid cases?
Thirty million pounds has been earmarked by the NHS to go to GP surgeries to improve diagnosis. Around £70 million is being invested in an expansion of the network of specialist Long Covid clinics. But while the plan is to be welcomed, it will only make a difference if it is turned into meaningful action now. Patients have waited long enough for treatment. We’re concerned that the condition will need more funding as the numbers affected by it grow.
And crucially, research activity into the disease must be ramped up to improve treatments and ultimately lead to the development of a cure.
