Covid-19 side effects you should know

We are all familiar with Covid-19 and most of us who have had it suffered its side effects, whether mild or severe.

The Herald spoke to Bernedette Jewaskiewitz, Nurse Services Manager at Lenmed Randfontein Private Hospital about the side effects of Covid-19 and what one can expect.

Jewaskiewitz said Covid-19, a new strain of coronavirus attacks the lower respiratory tract, down the airway to the lungs, and it penetrates deeper than a common-cold virus.

“All age groups are at risk for the virus, but older people more so due to the significant physiological changes that come with ageing and possible underlying health conditions. The same applies to younger people with comorbidities like diabetes or hypertension, and it is important to take your chronic medication as prescribed.”

Not everyone who had the virus will experience side effects, and not everyone diagnosed with a positive swab will have symptoms.

Jewaskiewitz listed the following side effects that one might experience:

• Tiredness or fatigue
• Difficulty thinking or concentrating, sometimes referred to as ‘brain fog’
• Headache
• Loss of smell or taste
• Dizziness while standing
• Fast-beating or pounding heart, also known as heart palpitations
• Difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath
• Cough
• Joint or muscle pain
• Depression or anxiety

Not everyone experiences the same side effects – it depends on one’s immune system, how quickly medical help was received, the medical care that was given, and how severely you were affected by the virus.

“Side effects can be mild, severe or not experienced at all, and after being infected with the virus the side effects can last weeks or months.”

She warned not to wait until feeling sick or try to nurse your illness yourself; seek medical attention and get the right medication.

According to Jewaskiewitz, it is important to keep taking your vitamins, get enough rest, eat regularly and take chronic medication as prescribed.

She stated that the side effects should only be a concern if you can’t function like before, or if it interferes with your daily routine. Then you need to seek medical attention.

The following tips are recommended for those who are struggling with side effects after having been infected with the virus:

• Be open to your family and those nearest to you, even if it is your employer
• Support is an important pillar for an individual to get better
• Seek medical support again. It’s also important to know you can be infected with Covid-19 more than once
• A good option is to consider taking the Covid-19 vaccine. Although it will not prevent you from getting the virus, it will minimise its severity