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February 8th 2025 - What is Long Covid?

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  • 8 feb
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Aggiornamento: 10 feb

I knew right away that I had Long Covid because I felt the first symptoms after an infection with the Sars-CoV-2 virus. It was January 2022, and at that time, it was mandatory to take a swab to certify the infection. I could attribute a reason to those symptoms I had been dragging around for weeks, which prevented me from living: extreme weakness, widespread body aches, headaches, sleep disturbances, dry eyes, and tinnitus. It sounds like a war report; instead, it was the onset of Long Covid.


Initially, the doctors told me to be patient, assuring me that everything would pass in the following weeks. It didn’t go that way: since then, most of those symptoms have not left me. In the midst of this misfortune, I had some luck: I knew what the cause of my illness was and had a culprit to blame.


Now the situation has changed: public opinion considers Covid to be a trivial flu and takes no action to counteract the virus's spread. Doctors themselves no longer speak of the importance of prevention or the necessity of getting tested when flu-like symptoms arise.


The Initial Reaction and Social Impact


This leads many people to find themselves with unexplained symptoms after what seemed like a trivial flu. They suffer from recurring headaches, aching muscles, and an unshakable fatigue—a fatigue that doesn’t go away. At night, they sleep poorly, and when they wake up, they are more exhausted than when they went to bed. Often, they find themselves with empty heads, unable to think or concentrate. They feel like a broken battery, struggling to charge and draining completely in the blink of an eye.


They turn to their General Practitioner, who prescribes a battery of tests that yield no answers. They feel disoriented: medically, they are considered fine, but they know that is not the case. They return to the doctor, explaining how difficult it is to live with those symptoms. The doctor then diagnoses them with stress or anxiety and prescribes a sedative. It'll pass.


Their social life deteriorates: friends become annoyed with their constant complaints. They are seen as boring hypochondriacs, good only for wallowing in self-pity. Gradually, they become isolated and are labeled as out of their minds.



Long covid

Long Covid Misdiagnoses


These individuals find themselves misunderstood and often come to truly believe they are going crazy. In many cases, they consult a psychiatrist, who diagnoses them with depression, followed by a treatment of antidepressants. Weeks pass, but the therapy offers very few benefits.


All those activities that just a few weeks earlier were routine now seem incredibly difficult. Living has turned into a nightmare.


Do you recognize yourself in this story or in some of its parts? Know that you could be suffering from Long Covid.


Long Covid is a Social Disease


In March 2023, the Office for National Statistics published an article revealing alarming figures on the incidence of Long Covid in the United Kingdom: 1,900,000 people reported suffering from Long Covid. Of these, 79%, or 1,500,000 people, stated that Long Covid negatively affected their lives. Even worse, 20%, or 381,000 people, report that their ability to undertake actions is greatly limited.


This means that a city like Swansea is effectively paralyzed because of this syndrome. Imagine the economic and health-related damages.


Long Covid Also Affects Children


And in these numbers, children are not counted. Long Covid exists within the pediatric population as well. In this case, it’s not just the child who suffers, but the entire family, which faces an inexplicable situation without support from pediatricians or schools.


The Socioeconomic Impact of Long Covid


Cambridge Econometrics, a British consulting firm offering consulting to public and private organizations, has calculated the losses that Long Covid generates in the UK's GDP: £1.5 billion per year. Based on current trends, they estimate that the number of Long Covid patients in Britain will rise. If it was 1.9 million in 2023, it could reach 4 million by 2030. In this case, the GDP losses would increase to £2.7 billion.


This is enough to understand that Long Covid is a social disease, and if no health and economic strategies are implemented, the consequences for the community will be disastrous. Right now, all over the world, tens of millions of people are suffering from a syndrome of which they are unaware. All this happens with the complicity of governments that close their eyes to this silent slaughter.


A Call for Awareness and Action

Long Covid is a taboo: let us raise our voices and make ourselves heard! Only in this way can we be listened to and receive the care we need. 


Resources and Support in the UK and Worldwide


United Kingdom

  1. NHS Long Covid Services:

    • Various NHS healthcare facilities offer specialized services for Long Covid. You can request a consultation through your general practitioner.

    • More information is available on the official NHS website: NHS Long COVID.

  2. Long Covid Physio:

    • A group of physiotherapists providing support and resources for recovery from Long Covid through specific exercises and advice.

    • Visit their website: Long Covid Physio.

    Long Covid Support Group:

    • An online support group for those dealing with Long Covid, where experiences can be shared and support received.

    • More information: Long Covid Support.

International

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

    • The CDC provides comprehensive information on Long Covid, including symptoms, research, and resources for management.

    • Visit the CDC website for more details: CDC - Long COVID.

  2. World Health Organization (WHO):

  3. Patient-Led Research Collaborative:

  4. Long COVID Europe:

    • A network of patients and organizations affected by Long Covid in Europe, dedicated to raising awareness and promoting health policies.

    • Find out more at: Long COVID Europe.

How to Find Local Support

  • General Practitioners: It’s important to consult your GP for advice and referrals to clinics and support available in your area.

  • Support Groups: Many communities have local support groups that can provide a sense of community and understanding.

  • Online Research: Use search engines and social media to find local groups and resources in your countries or cities.


If you know of other local resources or support programs, feel free to share them to help those facing Long Covid!


 


 

 

 



 

 
 
 

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