I have written several times about the illness we call long covid. It is a topic that will not go away. The World Health Organization has put out eight key messages as part of their awareness initiative, and I want to share them with you.
- Long covid can affect anyone. Being young and fit does not protect you.
- No prior illness required. Does not require having a preexisting condition.
- It is a debilitating condition. It affects physical and cognitive function. It is not just being tired.
- Impacts work and well-being. Affects daily life and employment. It is not “laziness” or an “excuse.”
- It is long lasting. Symptoms can last for months not just a few weeks.
- It is a real health condition. Not caused by stress, anxiety or poor mental health.
- Vaccines reduce risk. Vaccines lower the risk of developing long covid they do not “cause it.”
- Long covid has not gone away. New infections still lead to cases. It is not “a thing of the past.”
There are many things we have yet to learn about Covid infections but three months after infection 74% of patients are still symptomatic and 56% after six months. The takeaway from the WHO is that vaccines lower the risk of developing long covid. Consider vaccination now or in the near future since, as I have reported, long covid has not gone away and is “not a thing of the past.”
Stay alert and healthy my friends.
