The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services working in conjunction with other agencies such as the CDC to develop the following definition:
“Long COVID is broadly defined as signs, symptoms, and conditions that continue or develop after initial COVID-19 or SARS-CoV-2 infection. The signs, symptoms, and conditions are present four weeks or more after the initial phase of infection; may be multisystemic; and may present with a relapsing– remitting pattern and progression or worsening over time, with the possibility of severe and life-threatening events even months or years after infection. Long COVID is not one condition. It represents many potentially overlapping entities, likely with different biological causes and different sets of risk factors and outcomes.”
The symptoms of Long COVID or Post-COVID conditions are broad, as it is not a single condition. The CDC lists common symptoms of Long COVID:
General symptoms (Not a Comprehensive List)
Respiratory and heart symptoms
Neurological symptoms
Digestive symptoms
Other symptoms
Anyone that has been infected by COVID-19 can develop Long-COVID, including children and adolescents. However, the CDC believes certain populations may be more at risk such as those who had severe COVID-19 or those with underlying health conditions.
There is currently no absolute cure to Long COVID. The CDC recommends meeting with your healthcare provider to develop an individual plan. At Swirl of Hope™ we strive to provide resources and information, as well as a supportive community.
There are still a number of unknowns related to Long COVID conditions. The CDC is working to:
· Better identify the most frequent symptoms and diagnoses experienced by patients with Post-COVID Conditions.
· Better understand how many people are affected by Post-COVID Conditions, and how often people who are infected with COVID-19 develop Post-COVID Conditions afterwards.
· Better understand risk factors, including which groups might be more at risk, and if different groups experience different symptoms.
· Help understand how Post-COVID Conditions limit or restrict people’s daily activity.
· Help identify groups that have been more affected by Post-COVID Conditions, lack access to care and treatment for Post-COVID Conditions, or experience stigma.
· Better understand the role vaccination plays in preventing Post-COVID Conditions.
· Collaborate with professional medical groups to develop and offer clinical guidance and other educational materials for healthcare providers, patients, and the public.
Anosmia: Inability to detect odors
Agnosia: Inability to classify or contrast odors, although able to detect odors
Ageusia: Inability to taste
Cacosmia: Inappropriate detection of a normal smell as foul or unpleasant
Dysgeusia: Distorted ability to taste
Dysosmia: Distorted identification of smell
Heterosmia: Inability to distinguish between certain odors
Hyposmia: Decreased ability to detect odors
Hypogeusia: Decreased ability to taste
Parosmia: Altered perception of smell in the presence of an odor, usually unpleasant
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