LONG Covid or post-Covid-19 are umbrella terms that refer to Covid-19 symptoms that persist beyond the initial phase of a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The absence of a formal definition for post-Covid-19 has made the research of this condition and its management challenging.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a definition of post-Covid-19 according to input from a panel of researchers, patients, and clinicians.
A standardized definition of post-Covid-19 will help advance research, facilitate awareness and acceptance, and aid diagnosis and management of this condition.
Depending upon the severity of symptoms, most individuals recover from Covid-19 within the first 3–4 weeks after contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Yet, a significant number of individuals experience lingering Covid-19 symptoms for weeks and months after this initial or acute phase of the infection.
People have collectively described these persistent Covid-19 symptoms with terms such as long Covid, “post-acute Covid-19,” or “post-Covid-19.”
Some of the common symptoms of long Covid include fatigue, breathing difficulties, insomnia, pain, and brain fog. Additionally, post-Covid-19 can adverselyTrusted Source impact multiple organ systemsTrusted Source, including the kidneys, lungs, pancreas, and heart.
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The lack of a standardized definition and consistent terminology for post-Covid-19 have been obstacles for researchers studying the condition and its clinical diagnosis and treatment.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a clinical case definitionTrusted Source of post-Covid-19 to address these issues.
The WHO told Medical News Today, “This standardized clinical case definition will help clinicians to identify patients more easily and provide them the appropriate care, and it is crucial for advancing recognition and research.”
There was a lack of awareness and skepticismTrusted Source about post-Covid-19 among the public and medical professionals when the initial cases of long Covid emerged.
Consequently, individuals with persistent symptoms did not get the necessary medical care they required.
