Long COVID - What you need to know.

Most people with COVID-19 recover completely and return to normal health.

However, some people who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 report a diverse range of symptoms beyond the time of ‘recovery’ from the acute phase of COVID-19 illness.

Some of the most commonly reported symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough
  • Low mood
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty concentrating, cognitive impairment or ‘brain fog’
  • Chest pain (clinical assessment may be required to investigate the specific cause)
  • Joint pain
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Muscle weakness (this can be a reported symptom, and may also be clinically measured)
  • Ongoing changes to smell or taste
  • Fast-beating or a ‘pounding’ heart
  • Sleep disturbances

What we know about COVID19 and recovery:

Get your vitamins and minerals daily

Vitamin D is a hormone that acts on many genes expressed by immune cells, Vitamin D induces an anti-viral effect against rhinovirus in cultured respiratory epithelial cells. -https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.201912

Micronutrients, vitamin C and vitamin D have gained much attention during the pandemic because of their anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting properties. Low levels of vitamins D and C result in coagulopathy (excessive bleeding or clotting) and suppress the immune system, causing lymphocytopenia (not enough immune/defense cells). Evidence has shown that the mortality rate is higher in COVID-19 patients with low vitamin D concentrations. Further, vitamin C supplementation increases the oxygenation index in COVID-19 infected patients . Similarly, vitamin B deficiency can significantly impair cell and immune system function, and lead to inflammation.

There is a need to highlight the importance of vitamin B because it plays a pivotal role in cell functioning, energy metabolism, and proper immune function. Vitamin B assists in proper activation of both the innate and adaptive immune responses, reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, improves respiratory function. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7428453/

Ultraviolet-C light (UVC) can inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus by damaging the outer protein coat of the virus. This is one of the reasons why being outside decreases the risk of infection. - COVID-19: Ventilation | Ministry of Health NZ

Stay active

continuing to move will help release endorphins and improve your mood.

Stay connected

Try not to isolate yourself, keeping in touch with family and friends is a good way to stay current.

Our Lions mane pictured has been used for centuries in eastern medicine because it is known to be loaded with Vitamin B and D, is a polysaccharide (energy storage) antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. An effective and safe defense.