{"id":6864,"date":"2023-08-28T18:20:12","date_gmt":"2023-08-28T18:20:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wp.cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/?p=6864"},"modified":"2023-08-28T18:20:12","modified_gmt":"2023-08-28T18:20:12","slug":"doctors-checklist-for-treating-long-covid-patients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/?p=6864","title":{"rendered":"Doctor\u2019s Checklist for Treating Long COVID Patients"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/wp.cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/image-4-300x192.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6957\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Written by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/hallie-levine\">Hallie Levine<\/a>  April 4, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> Lisa McCorkell had a mild bout of COVID-19 in March 2020. Young and healthy, she assumed that she would bounce back quickly. But when her fatigue, shortness of breath, and brain fog persisted, she realized that she most likely had long COVID.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBack then, we as patients basically coined the term,\u201d she said. While her first primary care provider was sympathetic, they were unsure how to treat her. After her insurance changed, she ended up with a second primary care provider who didn\u2019t take her symptoms seriously. \u201cThey dismissed my complaints and told me they were all in my head. I didn\u2019t seek care for a while after that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>McCorkell\u2019s symptoms improved after her first COVID vaccine in the spring of 2021. She also finally found a new primary care doctor she could trust. But as one of the founders of the Patient-Led Research Collaborative, a group of researchers who study long COVID, she says many doctors still don\u2019t know the hallmark symptoms of the condition or how to treat it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s still a lack of education on what long COVID is, and the symptoms associated with it,\u201d she said. \u201cMany of the symptoms that occur in long COVID are symptoms of other chronic conditions, such as&nbsp;myalgic encephalomyelitis \/&nbsp;chronic fatigue syndrome<strong>,<\/strong>&nbsp;that are often dismissed. And even if providers believe patients and send them for a workup, many of the routine blood and imaging tests come back normal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How Do COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines Work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the COVID-19 vaccines are known as mRNA shots. How are they different from traditional vaccines? And do they contain the real virus?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The term &#8220;long COVID&#8221; emerged in May 2020. And though the condition was recognized within a few months of the start of the pandemic, doctors weren\u2019t sure how to screen or treat it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While knowledge has developed since then, primary care doctors are still in a tough spot. They\u2019re often the first providers that patients turn to when they have symptoms of long COVID. But with no standard diagnostic tests, treatment guidelines, standard care recommendations, and a large range of symptoms the condition can produce, doctors may not know what to look for, nor how to help patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s no clear algorithm to pick up long COVID \u2013 there are no definite blood tests or biomarkers, or specific things to look for on a physical exam,\u201d said Lawrence Purpura, MD, an infectious disease specialist and director of the long COVID clinic at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. \u201cIt\u2019s a complicated disease that can impact every organ system of the body.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even so, emerging research has identified a checklist of sorts that doctors should consider when a patient seeks care for what appears to be long COVID. Among them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The key systems and organs impacted by the disease<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The most common symptoms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Useful therapeutic options for symptom management that have been found to help people with long COVID<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The best heathy lifestyle choices that doctors can recommend to help their patients&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a closer look at each of these aspects, based on research and interviews with experts, patients, and doctors.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key Systems, Organs Impacted&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At least 10% of people who are infected with COVID-19 go on to have long COVID, according to a recent&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41579-022-00846-2\">study<\/a>&nbsp;that McCorkell helped co-author. But more than 3 years into the pandemic, much about the condition is still a mystery.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>COVID is a unique virus because it can spread far and wide in a patient\u2019s body. A December 2022 study, published in the journal&nbsp;<em>Nature,<\/em>&nbsp;autopsied 44 people who died of COVID and found that the virus could spread throughout the body and persist, in one case as long as 230 days after symptoms&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41586-022-05542-y\">started<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe know that there are dozens of symptoms across multiple organ systems,\u201d said McCorkell. \u201cThat makes it harder for a primary care physician to connect the dots and associate it with COVID.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A paper published last December in&nbsp;<em>Nature Medicine<\/em>&nbsp;proposed one way to help guide diagnosis. It divided symptoms into four groups:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cardiac and renal issues such as heart palpitations, chest pain, and kidney damage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sleep and anxiety problems like insomnia, waking up in the middle of the night, and anxiety<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the musculoskeletal and nervous systems: musculoskeletal pain, osteoarthritis, and problems with mental skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the digestive and respiratory systems: trouble breathing, asthma, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>There were also specific patterns in these groups. People in the first group were more likely to be older, male, have other conditions and to have been infected during the first wave of the COVID pandemic. People in the second group were over 60% female, and were more likely to have had previous allergies or asthma. The third group was also about 60% female, and many of them already had autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Members of the fourth group \u2013 also 60% female \u2013 were the least likely of all the groups to have another condition.<strong>SLIDESHOW<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/how_mrna_technology_works_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_covid_vaccination_in_car.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"photo of woman reeeiving covid1-19 booster in car\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>1&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;11Where You\u2019ve Seen mRNA Technology at WorkThe vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna use mRNA to fight COVID-19. When these vaccines were rolled out, it was the first time mRNA was used on humans in vaccine technology. While the concept is new to the public, the research has been around since the early 1990s.&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/how_mrna_technology_works_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_mrna_strand.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"photo of mrna strand\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>2&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;11What are mRNA Vaccines?mRNA is a type of molecule that has the ability to deliver a specific set of instructions to your cells to make pieces of protein used by certain viruses. This could induce an immune response to fight off a viral attack.Harnessing this technology, scientists had been experimenting with mRNA\u2019s potential use against deadly diseases like influenza, Ebola, and SARS.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/how_mrna_technology_works_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_mrna_vs_traditional_vaccine.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"photo of mrna vaccine vs traditional vaccine\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>3&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;11mRNA Vaccines vs. Traditional VaccinesTraditional vaccines use weakened or inactivated germs to trigger an immune response in our body. mRNA vaccines use genetically engineered molecules that teach your cells to make a harmless piece of protein that belongs to a specific virus. This triggers your immune system to make antibodies that are designed to attack and destroy the viral protein.&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/how_mrna_technology_works_slideshow\/1800ss_science_source_rm_mrna_and_viral_proteins.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"photo of mrna strand and viral proteins\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>4&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;11Why Does mRNA Vaccine Use Protein?This mRNA technology uses viral protein because it plays an important role in a successful infection. The protein enables a virus to enter your body, attach itself to a cell, replicate, and spread. mRNA vaccines teach our cells to build antibodies against the protein particle and prevent infection and keep you from getting seriously ill.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/how_mrna_technology_works_slideshow\/1800ss_science_source_rm_mrna_viral_protein_antibody.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"photo of Immune response to covid-19 vaccine\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>5&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;11How mRNA Vaccines WorkOnce mRNA technology instructs your cells to make the foreign protein particle, it shows up on the cell\u2019s surface. The presence of the protein alerts your immune system to mount a defense and create antibodies to fight off what it thinks is a possible infection. Your body learns to recognize the viral protein as an enemy. In case of a real viral infection, your immune system is now prepared to destroy it and prevent serious illness.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/how_mrna_technology_works_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_vaccination_in_upper_arm.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"photo of vaccination in upper arm\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>6&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;11mRNA Vaccines and COVID-19COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are given in the upper arm muscle. The mRNA enters your muscle cells and instructs them to make \u201cspike proteins.\u201d It\u2019s the same type of protein found on the surface of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which attaches to cells to cause a COVID-19 infection. After your body builds antibodies against the spike protein, it gives you immunity against the real SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/how_mrna_technology_works_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_dates_on_calendar%20page.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"photo of calender page with dates marked\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>7&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;11mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine GuidelineEveryone 5 and older can get an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The Pfizer vaccine is approved for ages 5 and up, but so far the Moderna vaccine is only approved for ages 18 and up. To build a successful immune response against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, you need two doses of the same vaccine given 21 days apart if the Pfizer vaccine is used or 28 days apart if using Moderna.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/how_mrna_technology_works_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_covid_booster_concept.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"photo of covid booster concept\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>8&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;11What About Booster Shots?Booster shot recommendations depend on which mRNA vaccine you received for your primary series.If you\u2019re 12 or older and got the Pfizer vaccine, you\u2019re eligible for a booster from any manufacturer 5 months after your last jab. Teens 12-17 years old can only get a Pfizer booster.If you\u2019re 18 or older and got the Moderna vaccine, you\u2019re eligible for a booster from any manufacturer 5 months after your last jab.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/how_mrna_technology_works_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_digigal_vaccine_passport.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"photo of international, digital vaccine passport\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>9&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;11Quick Facts: mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine TechnologymRNA vaccines don&#8217;t contain live viruses and can\u2019t infect you.mRNA breaks down right after it delivers instructions to your cells. It never has the chance to enter the cell nucleus, which contains your DNA. The vaccine can\u2019t change or influence your DNA.The cells break down mRNA material a few days after the vaccination.The spike protein your cells use to build antibodies may linger in your body for a few weeks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/how_mrna_technology_works_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_vaccine_manufacturing_facility.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"photo of vaccine manuracturing facility\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>10&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;11mRNA Vaccine Technology: What\u2019s Next?The mRNA vaccine technology and its success against COVID-19 have opened doors to explore its uses against a variety of diseases. This is because the makeup and delivery mechanism now provides scientists a basic template to target any virus. They can simply insert the code for a particular viral protein and stimulate your immune system against it. Given that the technology already exists, the turnaround for vaccines could be faster.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/how_mrna_technology_works_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_anopheles_mosquito.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"photo of anophenles mosquito\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>11&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;11mRNA Technology: Future ApplicationsSome mRNA vaccines against diseases like HIV, Zika, and rabies are already in the human trial phase.Other potential vaccine uses include:MalariaCystic fibrosisTuberculosisHepatitis BTreatment for certain types of cancer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Reviewed by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/melinda-ratini\">Melinda Ratini&nbsp;<\/a>on 3\/1\/2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This research is helpful, because it gives doctors a better sense of what conditions might make a patient more likely to get long COVID, as well as specific symptoms to look out for, said Steven Flanagan, MD, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at NYU Langone Medical Center who also specializes in treating patients with long COVID.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the \u201cchallenge there, though, for health care providers is that not everyone will fall neatly into one of these categories,\u201d he stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Checklist of Symptoms&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although long COVID can be confusing, doctors say there are several symptoms that appear consistently that primary care providers should look out for, that could flag long COVID. They include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Post-exertional malaise (PEM).<\/strong>&nbsp;This is different from simply feeling tired. \u201cThis term is often conflated with fatigue, but it\u2019s very different,\u201d said David Putrino, PhD, director of rehabilitation innovation at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, who says that he sees it in about 90% of patients who come to his long COVID clinic.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>PEM is the worsening of symptoms after physical or mental exertion. This usually occurs a day or two after the activity, but it can last for days, and sometimes weeks.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s very different from fatigue, which is just a generalized tiredness, and exercise intolerance, where someone complains of not being able to do their usual workout on the treadmill,\u201d he noted. \u201cPeople with PEM are able to push through and do what they need to do, and then are hit with symptoms anywhere from 12 to 72 hours later.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dysautonomia.<\/strong>&nbsp;This is an umbrella term used to describe a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which regulates bodily functions that you can\u2019t control, like your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. This can cause symptoms such as heart palpitations, along with orthostatic intolerance, which means you can\u2019t stand up for long without feeling faint or dizzy.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIn my practice, about 80% of patients meet criteria for dysautonomia,\u201d said Putrino. Other research has found that it\u2019s present in about two-thirds of long COVID patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One relatively easy way primary care providers can diagnose dysautonomia is to do the tilt table test. This helps check for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), one of the most common forms of dysautonomia. During this exam, the patient lies flat on a table. As the head of the table is raised to an almost upright position, their heart rate and blood pressure are measured. Signs of POTS include an abnormal heart rate when you\u2019re upright, as well as a worsening of symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Exercise intolerance.<\/strong>&nbsp;A 2022 review published in the journal&nbsp;<em>JAMA Network Open<\/em>&nbsp;analyzed 38 studies on long COVID and exercise and found that patients with the condition had a much harder time doing physical activity. Exercise capacity was reduced to levels that would be expected about a decade later in life,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamanetworkopen\/fullarticle\/2797203\">according to study authors<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is especially important because it can\u2019t be explained just by deconditioning,\u201d said Purpura. \u201cSometimes these patients are encouraged to ramp up exercise as a way to help with symptoms, but in these cases, encouraging them to push through can cause post-exertional malaise, which sets patients back and delays recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While long COVID can cause dozens of symptoms, a paper McCorkell co-authored zeroed in on some of the most common ones:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Chest pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heart palpitations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Coughing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shortness of breath<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Belly pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nausea<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Problems with mental skills<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fatigue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Disordered sleep<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Memory loss<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Erectile dysfunction<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Irregular menstruation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Worsened premenstrual syndrome<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>While most primary care providers are familiar with some of these long COVID symptoms, they may not be aware of others.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCOVID itself seems to cause hormonal changes that can lead to erection and menstrual cycle problems,\u201d explained Putrino. \u201cBut these may not be picked up in a visit if the patient is complaining of other signs of long COVID.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not just what symptoms are, but when they began to occur, he added.&nbsp;<strong>SLIDESHOW<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/first_aid_kit_for_flu_cold_and_covid19_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_pills-1.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"pills\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>1&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;12Pain RelieversTo help lower a fever and get some relief for uncomfortable body aches, be sure to have acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen on hand. However, if&nbsp;you have hypertension, kidney disease, or diabetes, you should be careful using NSAIDs.&nbsp;Aspirin also works, but don\u2019t give it to kids. Aspirin is linked to a rare but life-threatening condition called Reye\u2019s syndrome in children.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/first_aid_kit_for_flu_cold_and_covid19_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_nose_spray.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"nose spray\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>2&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;12Other MedsDecongestant nose sprays or drops with phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine as the active ingredient take down swelling in your nose and help you breathe better. Decongestant balms you rub on your chest can also help open airways. Cough medicines or drops with dextromethorphan help with a dry cough, while those with guaifenesin can soothe a wet cough.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/first_aid_kit_for_flu_cold_and_covid19_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_hand_sanitizer.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"hand sanitizer\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>3&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;12Hand SanitizerFor the best germ-killing power, wash your hands with soap and water whenever you can. But it\u2019s a good idea to have a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol around, too. Keep it by the bed when you\u2019re sick, and use it after you cover a cough or blow your nose. Caregivers can grab a squirt, too, after checking a temperature or feeling a forehead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/first_aid_kit_for_flu_cold_and_covid19_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_tissue_box.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"tissue box\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>4&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;12TissuesCoughs and runny noses can be features of colds, flu, and COVID-19. Keep tissues on hand so you can contain those germs that you\u2019re hacking and sneezing. Use a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes. Throw tissues away promptly, and then wash or disinfect your hands.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/first_aid_kit_for_flu_cold_and_covid19_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_man_looking_at_thermometer-1.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"man looking at thermometer\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>5&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;12ThermometerEven if you\u2019re not feeling feverish, it\u2019s a good idea to track your temperature during an illness, so you have a good read on your body. You also need a thermometer in case your temperature spikes and you need to report it to a doctor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/first_aid_kit_for_flu_cold_and_covid19_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_disposable_mask.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"disposable mask\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>6&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;12MaskIt\u2019s best to keep your distance from other people when you have a virus, but if you share a household or need to go to the doctor\u2019s office, a mask that covers your nose and mouth is a must for keeping your germs to yourself.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/first_aid_kit_for_flu_cold_and_covid19_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_disinfecting_counter.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"disinfecting counter\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>7&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;12Disinfectant SprayThe common cold, the flu, and COVID-19 are all airborne illnesses. That means they travel through droplets from your nose and mouth. When you\u2019re sick, wipe down areas you touch so you lower the chances of passing the virus on to others.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/first_aid_kit_for_flu_cold_and_covid19_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_mature_man_drinking_tea.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"mature man drinking tea\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>8&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;12Lots to DrinkYour body loses a lot of fluids when you\u2019re sick because of fever sweats, a runny nose, and coughing. Water is good, but be sure to stock up on other kinds of drinks, too. Broth, warm tea, or drinks with electrolytes can all be good for hydration.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/first_aid_kit_for_flu_cold_and_covid19_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_humidifier-808.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"humidifier\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>9&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;12HumidifierA cool-mist humidifier blows tiny droplets of water into the air to help keep your airways moist and ease stuffiness and dry coughing. Viruses are less likely to survive in humid air than in dry air, so it may help lessen the spread of your sickness, too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/first_aid_kit_for_flu_cold_and_covid19_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_lozenge.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"lozenge\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>10&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;12Zinc LozengesWhile zinc lozenges won\u2019t treat symptoms, studies show that if you start popping them at the first sign of cold or flu symptoms, they can cut the length of your illness by up to 40%.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/first_aid_kit_for_flu_cold_and_covid19_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_pulse_oximeter.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"pulse oximeter\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>11&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;12Pulse OximeterA pulse oximeter is a small device that clips to your finger and reads how much oxygen is getting to your red blood cells. You don\u2019t need one for a cold or the flu. But if you\u2019re COVID-19-positive and having symptoms, it could help you keep tabs on how you\u2019re doing. Normal oxygen levels are between 95% and 97%. Readings lower than that mean it\u2019s time to call a doctor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/health_tools\/first_aid_kit_for_flu_cold_and_covid19_slideshow\/1800ss_getty_rf_emergency_sign.jpg?resize=300:*\" alt=\"emergency sign\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><strong>12&nbsp;<\/strong>of&nbsp;12When to Go to Urgent CareIt\u2019s important to know when your home remedies aren\u2019t enough anymore. See a doctor right away if you or a loved one have trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, trouble waking up, seizures, severe muscle pain, fever over 103 F, or aren\u2019t peeing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Reviewed by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/pichardo-gabriela\">Gabriela Pichardo&nbsp;<\/a>on 11\/18\/2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cUsually, these symptoms either start with the initial COVID infection, or begin sometime within 3 months after the acute COVID infection. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important for people with COVID to take notice of anything unusual that crops up within a month or two after getting sick.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Can You Prevent Long COVID?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can reduce your risk by taking preventive measures such as wearing a mask, keeping your distance from others in crowded indoor settings, and getting vaccinated. Getting at least one dose of a COVID vaccine before you test positive for COVID lowers your risk of long COVID by about 35% according to a 2022 study published in&nbsp;<em>Antimicrobial Stewardship &amp; Healthcare Epidemiology<\/em>. Unvaccinated people who recovered from COVID, and then got a vaccine, lowered their own long COVID risk by&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cambridge.org\/core\/journals\/antimicrobial-stewardship-and-healthcare-epidemiology\/article\/effectiveness-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid19-vaccine-in-the-prevention-of-postcovid19-conditions-a-systematic-literature-review-and-metaanalysis\/0AD0EDEC8C9CC9DF455752E32D73147B\">27%<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, a February study published in&nbsp;<em>JAMA Internal Medicine<\/em>&nbsp;found that women who were infected with COVID were less likely to go on to get long COVID and\/or have less debilitating symptoms if they had a healthy lifestyle, which included the following:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Healthy weight (a BMI between 18.5 and 24.7)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Never smoker<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Moderate alcohol consumption<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A high-quality diet<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seven to 9 hours of sleep a night<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>At least 150 minutes per week of physical activity<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>But McCorkell noted that she herself had a healthy pre-infection lifestyle but got long COVID anyway, suggesting these approaches don\u2019t work for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think one reason my symptoms weren\u2019t addressed by primary care physicians for so long is because they looked at me and saw that I was young and healthy, so they dismissed my reports as being all in my head,\u201d she explained. \u201cBut we know now anyone can get long COVID, regardless of age, health status, or disease severity. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important that primary care physicians be able to recognize symptoms.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Written by&nbsp;Hallie Levine April 4, 2023 Lisa McCorkell had a mild bout of COVID-19 in March 2020. Young and healthy, she assumed that she would bounce back quickly. But when [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6957,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[663,742,122,337,949,592,607],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6864","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-acute-respiratory-distress","category-cardiovascular-system","category-digestion","category-mrna","category-sleep-disturbance","category-treatments","category-vaccine-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6864","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6864"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6864\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6957"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6864"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6864"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cov19longhaulfoundation.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6864"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}