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Hidden Threats Long-COVID Risks

Hidden Threats Long-COVID Risks: Hidden Threats: Long-COVID Risks as a persistent, often misunderstood condition that continues to impact countless individuals long after they’ve seemingly recovered from COVID-19. Beneath the surface, hidden immune factors quietly intensify the risks, leading to serious complications such as sepsis, persistent fatigue, metabolic disturbances, kidney stress, and cardiovascular issues.

The Patient with Hidden Threats Long-COVID Risks should not Wait it out

For those affected by Long-COVID, the struggle goes beyond just physical symptoms. They must constantly advocate for themselves, dealing with symptoms that don’t show up on tests and have no known solutions, all while facing a community that’s growing weary of their ongoing illness. The burden of living with an illness that remains a mystery, coupled with survival guilt and the fear of being a burden, introduces yet another hidden risk—the unmeasured toll on their lives.meausred.

Dr Philip McMillan discussion on this topic is particularly resonant for me. On July 28, I began experiencing symptoms that strongly resembled Long COVID. Having already survived sepsis three times, I felt certain that I was dealing with another round of COVID or its lingering effects. Yet, despite my symptoms—including a month-long intermittent fever and declining Pulse Oximeter readings—all my tests, including those for the K2 variant, came back negative.

Dr. McMillan’s insights are a crucial cautionary tale for anyone grappling with Long COVID. It’s essential not to assume that over-the-counter NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) will suffice if your symptoms persist. The temptation to self-manage can be strong, but it’s dangerous.

Emergency rooms may often dismiss concerns with statements like, “We don’t treat COVID anymore; this is just a viral load.” However, the real danger lies in assuming it’s just a non-specific virus and deciding to wait it out. Doing so risks further damage to your immune system. A viral load severe enough to cause sepsis can shut down your organs—and even be fatal.

This isn’t merely about managing discomfort—it’s about recognizing the potential severity of viral infections that can lead to life-threatening conditions like sepsis. If you’re experiencing persistent symptoms, please don’t hesitate to seek medical attention immediately. Your health and life may depend on it.

Post-sepsis syndrome (PSS)

COVID-19 can trigger sepsis, leading to significant immune dysfunction and prolonged illness. These lasting effects, known as post-sepsis syndrome (PSS) and post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), cause chronic fatigue and organ dysfunction.

Early detection is crucial, as both COVID-19 and sepsis can rapidly lead to organ failure. Symptoms like rapid breathing, confusion, or fever, especially after COVID-19, should prompt immediate medical attention. The risk is high—sepsis, exacerbated by COVID-19, complicates recovery and underscores the need for quick intervention to prevent long-term complications like PSS and PAS

Early detection of both COVID-19 and sepsis is indeed vital due to the speed at which they can lead to organ failure. Recognizing the early signs is key to preventing severe outcomes. Here’s how one can discern and act:

  1. Monitor Symptoms Closely: After a COVID-19 infection, be vigilant for symptoms like rapid breathing, confusion, high fever, or extreme fatigue. These can be early indicators of sepsis, which occurs when the body’s response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs.
  2. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: If these symptoms appear, it’s essential to seek medical help immediately. It does NOT matter that you have been to the hospital hundreds of times, it does NOT matter if your caregivers are tired of dealing with the unknowns. Time is critical because both COVID-19 and sepsis can escalate quickly, leading to organ failure.
  3. Understand the Risks: COVID-19 can weaken the immune system, making it easier for sepsis to develop. This combination complicates recovery and increases the likelihood of long-term complications such as Post-Sepsis Syndrome (PSS) and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), commonly referred to as Long COVID.
  4. Advocate for Your Health: If you’ve had COVID-19 and are experiencing severe symptoms, don’t hesitate to push for thorough medical evaluation. Early intervention can significantly reduce the risk of long-term damage.
  5. Educate Yourself: Understanding the connection between COVID-19 and sepsis can help you and your loved ones make informed decisions about your health. Quick recognition and response to these symptoms can be life-saving.

Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).

Caregiver and Patient Challenges, Hidden Threats: Long-COVID Risks

As misconceptions and stigmas compound these challenges, the true danger of Long-COVID lies not just in its physical toll but in the social and mental health impact on survivors, driving home the urgent need for greater awareness and support. A diagnosis of Long-Covid is a difficult reality, for the patient and those who care for them. There may be hundreds of trips to the hospital, pharmacy and ER. 911 calls, or juggling to try to avoid a 911 call.

My Name is Dawn C Simmons, and I faced the Hidden Threats: Long-COVID Risks

“You are old, you are always sick. You are always going to be sick. Long-Covid is not a thing, and I am not taking you to the ER. It’s too much. You are too much!”

~Care Giver Fatigue and Hidden Threats Long-Covid Risks

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