Are you feeling fatigued even after recovering from COVID-19 several weeks ago? If yes, you might suffer from Long COVID fatigue. This is a common sign in people who suffer from COVID-19 infection for a long time. Mostly, it gets better with time, but in some cases, it can be a sign of severe problems. So, learn what causes Long-term COVID fatigue and when you should see a doctor for long-term COVID fatigue in this article. Log on to www.doralhw.org for a consultation.

Causes of Long COVID fatigue

What exactly causes post-COVID fatigue is unknown. However, experts believe that certain factors might be responsible for post-COVID fatigue including some combination of the following:

• Breathing problems
• Neurovascular coupling dysfunction
• Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Exaggerated immune response
• Dysfunctional mitochondria
• Secondary fatigue

What does Long COVID fatigue feel like?

Long COVID fatigue makes you feel very tired and difficult to focus. It happens because your body is fighting the infection off. Depending on the severity, fatigue symptoms can range from:

• Chronic tiredness
• Lack of energy
• Brain fog
• Dizziness
• Body aches
• Trembling
• Not able to focus
• Muscle weakness
• Moodiness and irritability
• Poor hand-to-eye coordination
• Reduce immune system function
• Blurry vision
• Appetite loss
• Short-term memory problems
• Low motivation
• Hallucination

Common FAQs

Here are some facts about Long COVID Fatigue in the following FAQs:

1. Do the Long COVID patients have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)?

Ans. Yes, around half of the Long-term COVID patients develop chronic fatigue syndrome. Fatigue is a common sign of long-term COVID-19 from the beginning. Long COVID also leads to a chain of symptoms which include gastrointestinal issues, shortness of breath, and loss of smell or taste. People with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), after getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 could trigger viruses in their body that are dormant which leads to a resurgence of CFS symptoms.

To understand this, researchers performed a meta-analysis covering 52 studies. They found that 42.5% of patients who develop long-term COVID have chronic fatigue that stays persistent for months despite medical care.

2. Can antivirals prevent Long COVID and treat CFS?

Ans. According to a study published in November 2022, people who took the antiviral drug nirmatrelvir in a short time after getting diagnosed with COVID-19 have 26% less chance of developing Long COVID. The study only had people older than 60 years, so it’s not clear whether the antiviral can be effective in protecting younger people against COVID or not.

Unscientific evidence of the use of nirmatrelvir antiviral to treat Long-term COVID symptoms and researchers found that antivirals can give an immune boost in people with CFS which provide relief from their symptoms, however, there are no conclusive clinical trials yet.

3. Can COVID-19 reactivate CFS symptoms?

Ans. According to a study published in December 2022, people who have had CFS before, and after getting infected with SARS-CoV-2 can trigger the dormant viruses that lead to a resurgence of CFS symptoms. Similarly, Herpes viruses such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can be linked with triggering CFS. The researchers also found that antibody levels against several herpes viruses are high in people who have CFS compared to people who never had CFS. This shows COVID-19 can reactivate viruses that are associated with chronic fatigue symptoms.

4. Is Long COVID the reason for research into the causes of CFS?

Ans. Yes, Long COVID is the main cause that reignited the interest and study into CFS, which is a still mysterious condition that has gotten little attention from the research community for decades. Otherwise, 90% of people with CFS are never properly diagnosed and many cases were dismissed by saying a condition that purely exists “in the mind” can be treated with exercise therapy. Not many doctors specialize in CFS as well.

5. What is the treatment like for Long COVID with CFS?

Ans. There are no established treatments available for Long COVID, similar to CFS. For decades, only exercise therapy has been recommended for CFS with a vision that gradually increasing the amount of exercise can help people to return to full health. Others argued that this is an incredibly challenging treatment program for people who usually struggle to walk even for a few meters. However, this treatment option is still recommended widely.

Long COVID creates a division of opinions on the best approach to treatment. Some doctors still emphasize exercise in rehabilitation while others oppose it. For better understanding, looking at the underlying causes behind both CFS and Long COVID and clinical trials for treatment will help in understanding both these conditions.

When to see a doctor?

If you have COVID-19 and you also notice fatigue symptoms that last more than 2 to 3 weeks, you should see a doctor or if you notice any of the following:

• Your fatigue gets worse rather than getting better.
• Symptoms that don’t improve even after 4 weeks.
• You feel worried or experience other new symptoms.

Managing Long COVID Fatigue after recovering from COVID-19 infection can be tough and exhausting. This type of fatigue affects your daily life activities and makes it difficult to concentrate. While there is no established treatment, experts look for effective treatment options to manage your fatigue. Until then, simple lifestyle changes like eating healthy, getting enough sleep, staying physically active, managing your stress, and taking frequent breaks can be helpful to manage your fatigue.

Need help with long-term COVID fatigue, visit our infectious diseases specialist in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment and learn how you can manage your fatigue!!!

Doral Health and Wellness has several urgent care clinics around New York that can cater to your family’s medical needs. We also have the best medical providers, physicians and staff that are highly trained in their respective specialties. To know more about the locations of our urgent care clinics, you can visit us at Doral Health and Wellness. If you are looking for urgent care near you, you can visit Doral Health and Wellness Urgent Care. We provide urgent care for common illnesses and injuries. Additionally, we also provide comprehensive care for any related injuries and health problems. We also offer other services, such as vaccinations, immunizations, and blood testing. For more info, visit us or call 1-347-384-5690.