Could COVID-19 cause chronic fatigue syndrome?
Many people with lasting COVID-19 symptoms report episodes of extreme fatigue, and some have expressed concern that COVID-19 may cause chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
CFS, or myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a long-term condition that can follow a viral illness, causing symptoms such as:
severe physical fatigue
mental fatigue, sometimes called “brain fog”
difficulty sleeping
muscle pain
symptoms that get worse after exercise, called post-exertional malaise
While many people with long COVID experience these or similar symptoms, it is unclear whether long COVID is — or could lead to — CFS.
Some researchers view long COVID as a separate phenomenon, calling it post-COVID-19 syndrome or a post-viral syndrome.
In a letter to the editor of the journal Medical HypothesesTrusted Source, scientists emphasize the importance of studying and finding treatments for post-COVID-19 syndrome.
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When to seek help
Anyone experiencing new or persistent symptoms following recovery from COVID-19 should contact a doctor, by phone, if possible.
The doctor can assess the symptoms and, if needed, perform diagnostic tests to check for complications. They can also to help monitor and manage the symptoms over time.
If a person experiences severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, they should seek emergency medical help. Some of these concerning symptoms include:
chest pain or pressure
difficulty breathing
a change in the color of the lips —which may appear blue in people with lighter skin or grey or white in people with darker skin
an inability to stay awake
an inability to keep liquids down
rapid weight loss or gain
For anyone struggling with anxiety, grief, or depression, a doctor, a therapist, or another mental health professional can help.
Summary
Most people who develop COVID-19 experience mild symptoms and recover without treatment. However, as SARS-CoV-2 is a new virus, researchers are still learning about the long-term effects of the disease that it can cause.
Currently, doctors know that COVID-19 can cause lasting symptoms. Some call this issue long COVID or post-COVID-19 syndrome. When it is severe, COVID-19 can also cause lasting organ damage.
These and other experiences related to the pandemic can be traumatic, affecting a person’s mental health.
As scientists gather more data, they become better equipped to find effective treatments and management strategies.
To protect oneself and others, it is crucial to follow the COVID-19 prevention guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source.
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