MS1 - Long Covid (#2)

Long covid is characterized by

Symptoms ≥3 months after COVID-19 infection

Common symptoms for long covid include:

fatigue, brain fog, post-exertional malaise (PEM), dyspnea, dizziness, palpitations/tachycardia

Does a single single laboratory test confirms or rules out Long COVID?

No

PASC =

Post Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection

No single cause identified; likely

multifactorial and multisystem;

viral persistence; immune dysregulation; vascular/endothelial disruption; autonomic nervous system dysfunction; altered cellular/metabolic function

POST-EXERTIONAL MALAISE (PEM)

Delayed exacerbation of symptoms after physical, cognitive, OR emotional exertion

For PEM symptoms typically worsen approx ______ and persist _____.

12-24 hours after exertion

1-3 days

Symptoms of PEM are usually ______ to activity performed

disproportionate

Must consider delayed response when determining

activity tolerance; immediate response to exercise does not necessarily indicate true activity tolerance

How is long covid dx?

Previous COVID-19 infection + persistent, new, or returning symptoms ≥3 mo

Research shows that those individuals who have been vaccinated (at any point) are

less likely to develop long-COVID

A higher score in mFIS-5 =

greater fatigue

For those individuals with brain fog, a standardized cognitive screening such as ______ or _______ may be important

SLUMS; MOCA