Prolonged Covid remains a challenge

Long-term covid is a long-term condition caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that is characterized by various health problems, such as fatigue, dizziness and heart problems.

Approximately between 10% and 20% of people who have recovered from covid-19 may continue to experience persistent symptoms, called prolonged Covid syndrome or post-COVID-19 syndrome, according to Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Symptoms associated with this syndrome include: difficulty breathing, difficulty concentrating, headaches, heart disorders, sleep disorders, dizziness when standing up, joint or muscle pain, among others.

These symptoms can appear for at least four weeks after suffer from illness by this virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Although the public health emergency is related to COVID-19 ended, we must remember that the virus is still circulating, which makes it a real threat,” said Dr. Yamile Sandoval Sánchez, medical director Asofarm Vaccines Unit.

“Anyone can get infected, develop a serious illness and develop a syndrome after Covid-19, especially if you have any underlying disease such as hypertension, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, among others; therefore, vaccination is still our best ally in terms of prevention,” he adds.

Vaccination can help in prevention additional complications, because it has proven to be one of the main measures to protect against viruses. Vaccination is particularly crucial for vulnerable groups, such as the elderly or people with underlying health problems, he reiterates.

According to OPS, studies have shown that vaccinated people who later become infected have milder signs and symptoms of the disease and a lower risk of developing the syndrome after Covid-19.

For this reason, it is important to promote vaccination against circulating variants of covid-19 using the most modern vaccines, which reduces the risk of serious diseases and hospitalization.