No test is available to diagnose cases of long coronavirus disease (Covid), a type of condition where Covid-19 symptoms persist months since an initial infection.
In a virtual press briefing on Tuesday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said long Covid symptoms can last up to two months or longer, which include coughing, chest pain, difficulty in breathing, joint pain and others.
Long Covid is not contagious but those experiencing it must consult with the doctor, especially those having difficulty breathing, severe chest pain as well as those passing out, Vergeire said.
“Sa kasalukuyan wala pa hong test para ma-diagnose ang long Covid kaya pinakamainam na magpatingin at magpakunsulta sa doctor o health care provider kung sakaling magkaroon ng mga ganitong sintomas upang mabigyan ng pangunahing lunas (As of now there is no test yet to diagnose long Covid that’s why it is best to consult with the doctor who will provide emergency care),” she said.
Getting inoculated is one of the best ways to prevent this type of illness since long Covid is acquired after a coronavirus exposure, Vergeire said.
“Batay sa isang Lancet study done sa United Kingdom, nababawasan nang kalahating porsyento ang tsansang magkaroon ng long Covid ang indibidwal na nagka-Covid kung ito ay nakapagtapos ng kanyang primary series (Based on a Lancet study done in the UK, having primary series of the vaccine halves the risk of developing long Covid in adults who have been infected),” she said.
In some countries, long Covid is also known as long-haul Covid, post-acute Covid-19 and chronic Covid.
In the US, this condition is considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Source: Philippines News Agency