Long Covid

[westwoody]

This week I am retraining a man and woman who have been off work with “long covid” for almost a year.
Woman was off since spring. She had severe covid and was very high risk as a cancer survivor. She says it would come and go, she would be really sick with flu like symptoms for a few days, then get better. But as soon as she thought she was better, it would return. She really wanted to come back but employer did not want the risk.
Male employee was in early 40s. Was super hyper guy who ran around all the time driving everyone nuts. He is totally wrecked now, weak and has zero cardio capacity. Even simple tasks leave him gasping. He really wants to work but I am afraid he might drop dead any second.
This is very sad.

 

[ModSquad]

That is sad and gives two good examples why it is not just a flu.

 

[carvesg]

Quite a few people got it among my friends and family.

The one that denied the COVID effects on health and comparing to the regular flu ended up catching in late September. She lost her sense of smell , stated that she had never felt so sick in her life , she was out of commission for 2 weeks ; once she started getting better she went back claiming it was like a bad flu . But now that she still is not back to normal after 3 months and can only taste overly sweet or salty dishes her tune has started to change .

Nothing like the fear of permanent health problems to make people think twice.

 

[FreeG]

That is sad and gives two good examples why it is not just a flu.

Yep! It’s my #1 fear on getting covid.
It irks me to no end when people point to the death rates as “not that bad” when the real impacts include:
- long covid like the examples abovd
- icu’s filled and impacting other care
- hospital staffs overwhelmed by covid + “normal business”
- mental strain on society in general

 

[westwoody]

Not dying from covid doesn’t always mean total recovery!
Quoting mortality statistics is a tiny part of the picture.
I can’t see this guy returning to work. He isn’t capable of doing any of the tasks I am testing him on and he is devastated.

 

[zaphod42]

Canada's best soccer player not only got COVID, he's got heart issues now as a bonus. Sorry, the flu doesn't do that!

Wrong.

From the CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm

Flu Complications

Most people who get flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death.


Sinus and ear infections are examples of moderate complications from flu, while pneumonia is a serious flu complication that can result from either flu virus infection alone or from co-infection of flu virus and bacteria. Other possible serious complications triggered by flu can include inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis) or muscle tissues (myositis, rhabdomyolysis), and multi-organ failure (for example, respiratory and kidney failure). Flu virus infection of the respiratory tract can trigger an extreme inflammatory response in the body and can lead to sepsis, the body’s life-threatening response to infection. Flu also can make chronic medical problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have flu, and people with chronic heart disease may experience a worsening of this condition triggered by flu.

 

[GeeBeeP]

Wrong.

From the CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/symptoms/symptoms.htm

Flu Complications

Most people who get flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks, but some people will develop complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of flu, some of which can be life-threatening and result in death.


Sinus and ear infections are examples of moderate complications from flu, while pneumonia is a serious flu complication that can result from either flu virus infection alone or from co-infection of flu virus and bacteria. Other possible serious complications triggered by flu can include inflammation of the heart (myocarditis), brain (encephalitis) or muscle tissues (myositis, rhabdomyolysis), and multi-organ failure (for example, respiratory and kidney failure). Flu virus infection of the respiratory tract can trigger an extreme inflammatory response in the body and can lead to sepsis, the body’s life-threatening response to infection. Flu also can make chronic medical problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks while they have flu, and people with chronic heart disease may experience a worsening of this condition triggered by flu.

And that's why getting vaccinated against seasonal influenza is important. Particularly for those with chronic illnesses and those who have close contact with people who might. Sound familiar?