symptoms of COVID-19 include cough , 9 non-productive cough , 2 sore throat , 9 breathlessness , 9 difficulty breathing , 2 fatigue , 2 , 9 myalgia , 2 , 9 fever , 2 , 9 and cardiovascular damage . 1 Additionally , some patients with COVID‐19 also show neurological signs , such as headache , 2 , 10 nausea , and vomiting . 10 In moderate to severe cases of COVID-19 , onset acute respiratory distress syndrome may deteriorate rapidly and lead to the development of dyspnoea and pneumonia . Severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome develops into pathological deterioration , including septic shock and multisystem organ failure , which account for the high morbidity and mortality among severely infected patients . 8 The complications of COVID-19 are most often related to over-responsive immunological responses to the viral infection in the tissues or protective membranes of affected organs . 3 The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a physical , psychological , and social threat . 11-13
There are two stages of COVID-19 : acute COVID and long-COVID . The first stage , the acute COVID-19 stage , generally refers to the initial 4-5 weeks after SARS-CoV-2 infection . 4 , 8 In most cases ,, COVID-19 infection will resolve with little impact on long-term health . 3 However , for some people , there will be a prolonged recovery period , 3 typically referred to as long-COVID ( the second stage ). 8 Something to note is that the definition , terminology and time length of long-COVID varies from country to country . 5 , 6 Symptoms lasting beyond four weeks from the date of COVID-19 infection are referred to as symptomatic COVID . The duration of persistent post-COVID typically ranges from 5 to 12 weeks . Long COVID , sometimes referred to as post-COVID-19 syndrome , is defined as signs and symptoms persisting beyond 12 weeks from the date of onset . 4-6 The long-term consequences of COVID-19 infections are likely to be a significant health care focus for years after the contagion subsides . 3
Some of the symptoms of long-COVID include fatigue , 4 , 11 , 14 , 15 headache , 15
11 , 14 , 15
dyspnoea ( difficulty breathing ), cough , 14 , 15 stress , 11 4 , 11 , 15
depression , anxiety , 4 , 11 , 15 post-traumatic stress disorder , 4 , 15 cognitive difficulties , 4 , 11 attention issues , 4 , 15 mental fog , 11 memory issues , 4 , 15 pain , 11 sleep issues , 4 sleep deprivation , 11 hair loss , 15 14 , 15
loss of smell , loss of taste , 14 , 15 joint pain , 15 digestive disorders , 14 , 15 skin conditions , 15 muscle pain , 14 joint pain , 14 nerve pain , 14 burning pain , 14 general pain , 15 and general confusion . 11
Severe COVID-19 is less common in children . 6 Children and adolescents are more likely to be asymptomatic or develop a mild , transient illness following SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to adults . 5 There are two major long-term consequences that occur following SARS-CoV-2 infection in children : multisystem inflammatory syndrome and long-COVID . 6 A systematic review and meta-analysis of 80,071 children and adolescents found that the prevalence of long-COVID was 25.24 %. The most common symptoms of long-COVID in children and adolescents ( in descending order ) were mood symptoms ( e . g ., sadness , tension , anger , depression , and anxiety ), fatigue , sleep disorders ( e . g ., insomnia , hypersomnia , and poor sleep quality ), headache , respiratory symptoms , sputum production or nasal congestion , cognitive symptoms ( e . g ., less concentration , learning difficulties , confusion , and memory loss ), loss of appetite , exercise intolerance , and altered smell ( e . g ., hyposmia , anosmia , hyperosmia , parosmia , and phantom smell ). 6
Management of Post-Viral Syndrome
Firstly , we need to treat the whole person from a holistic perspective . The focus is on treating the whole person whose whole being ( mind , body , spirit ) initiates the healing process . 16 By treating the whole person , you can take all aspects of the person and their environment into account . 7 The whole is greater than the sum of the parts , 17 , 18 and the parts cannot be separated from the whole and considered in isolation . 17 Therefore , treating the whole person is of utmost importance . A full case history , diet analysis , and lifestyle analysis are completed to determine the specific nutritional , herbal , and lifestyle needs of the individual . The following is not an exhaustive list but rather a brief guide to the available options based on the person ’ s individual needs .
Vitamedicine Vitamedicine is derived from “ vita ”, being Latin for “ life ”, and medicine . 7 , 19 Vitamedicine is a personalised personcentred holistic system of health care with a core set of philosophies , principles , and practices . Vitamedicine looks at the whole person , physically , mentally , emotionally , socially , and environmentally , among other aspects . 7 , 19 It focuses on the person ’ s individual needs . 7 , 19 Vitamedicine aims to address the underlying causes of disordered health and promote optimum health . It takes into full account the lifestyle factors of the person , including what people enjoy doing . The uniqueness of the person is taken into account with vitamedicine . 7 , 19 Vitamedicine has a dynamic “ big picture ” view of someone ’ s health and wellbeing , and with this view , the whole is greater than the sum of its parts . 7 , 19 Vitamedicine is integrative in nature and utilises the integration of traditional knowledge and science . 7 , 19 There are 12 pillars of Vitamedicine . The pillars of Vitamedicine , like most natural medicines , gained their roots from the principles of naturopathic medicine . 16 Lifestyle medicine underpins , strengthens , and reinforces the 12 pillars of vitamedicine . The 12 pillars of Vitamedicine are : First , do no harm ; Treat the whole person ; Identify and treat the cause ; Prevention and health promotion in all areas ; The healing power of nature and that of the body ; The health professional is a teacher ; Regular hydration ; Nourish with wholefoods ; Support with herbal medicines ; Daily physical activity and regular movement ; Mindfulness ; and Sleep and rest . 7 , 19
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