What should
recovered COVID-19 patients do? Does the disease produce any sequelae? How should you treat them? How long does it take to recover? Former Health Minister Patricia Garcia answered these and other questions, as well as the doubts of those who defeated the virus, in an interview with Andina news agency.
"COVID-19 does not impact us all the same. Some have mild symptoms and recover at home; some have moderate symptoms and may require medical care or even oxygen; while others have severe symptoms," she said.
According to Garcia —a senior lecturer and researcher at
Cayetano Heredia University (UPCH)— since this is a new disease, nobody knows who, when, and how long people will be hospitalized. However, what doctors have been able to conform is that patients may take long to recover.
"It can take up to 6 weeks to feel like they were before. What we have seen is that many people are developing some medical conditions after having recovered from COVID-19," she explained.
Possible sequelae
According to the ex-minister, many recovered patients will show some symptoms during the convalescence phase, such as shortness of breath or fatigue.
"They may also feel trapped wind, that is, their stomach can swell because, apparently, COVID-19 not only affects the lungs, but also the heart and stomach," she expressed.
Recommendations for post-COVID-19 recovery
- Medical attention is recommended if discomfort persists after 3 weeks of recovery
- A 2-week smooth recovery is advisable, in addition to the 14-day quarantine period
- Easy breathing exercises
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
Invisible and deadly enemy
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) or the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). These viruses can be transmitted between animals and people.
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain that had not been previously identified in humans. It is transmitted from human to human through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. COVID-19 is also transmitted by close contact with people infected by the virus.
(END) LIQ/JOT/RMB/MVB
Published: 9/16/2020