Post Covid Syndrome in Youngsters

The disruption caused by Covid-19 physically, socially as well economically is devastating. The world is still trying to recover from the first wave amidst the attack of the second wave. The death rate is rising, including healthy youngsters, and is dreadful in the second wave. Youngsters with no prior disease need hospitalization.

Even after recovery people complain about post-recovery symptoms like fatigue, loss of smell or taste, brain fog or memory complaints etc. for a long-term. Many people experiencing mild to moderate symptoms during the time of Covid-19 infection become the long haulers, and suffer for months with Covid-19 side-effects.

Researchers discovered that 33% of patients who suffered Covid-19 infection at home, develop post Covid-19 symptoms.

Youngsters with mild with moderate infection are at higher risk of long-haul Covid symptoms like chronic fatigue. These health issues are referred to as post Covid-19 conditions. Covid-19 not only affects youngsters physically but also mentally, socially and economically.

Health Related Covid-19 affect in Youngsters

The cause of Covid-19 infection with long-term infection is not clearly known, especially for people with mild to moderate infection. Experts suggest that it could be the result of inflammation that is caused by the virus and revelation of some underlying condition.

Young people are at a lower risk of hospitalization however, they are at higher risk of developing post Covid-19 symptoms. Some might develop severe and long lasting symptoms if they are living with obesity, diabetes or high blood pressure.

They tend to develop below symptoms post recovery from Covid-19 infection:

• Fatigue which might worsen with physical activity

• Shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing

• Cough, mostly dry cough

• Chest pain

• Memory related issues like difficulty in concentration or sleep problems

• Muscle pain or headache

• Fast or pounding heartbeat

• Loss of smell or taste

• Depression or anxiety

• Dizziness when you stand or while performing normal tasks

• Joint Pain which does not improve even at rest

Specialized clinics are set up to study as well as treat these post Covid-19 symptoms.

Effect on Covid-19 On Your Organs

Covid-19 is thought to affect the lungs but they can damage other organs as well. Damage to other organs may cause long-term effects to youngsters.

• Heart – Recovery from Covid-19 has shown lasting damage to heart muscle which increases the risk of heart failure or other serious heart complications.

• Brain – Youngsters with no comorbidity have faced strokes, seizures, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and Guillain-Barre syndrome (Condition causing temporary paralysis) even after recovery from Covid-19.

• Lungs – This is the organ which is affected directly from Covid-19. Pneumonia affects the tiny air sacs (alveoli), scarring the lungs. The scarring might be irreversible and causes long-term breathing problems even to youngsters without any medical condition.

Covid-19 not only affects physical health but also mental health. After battling with Covid-19 infection the second battle patients go through is mental health. The major issues that people feel are nightmares, having startle responses, trouble falling asleep, emotional instability, depression, appetite changes, and loss of interest.

Youngsters are vulnerable regarding jobs, career, social life which impacts their mental health greatly due to Covid-19 infection. Young people work in areas which are at higher risk of infection. Young people are usually less likely to suffer from serious infection however; they may infect elders and people with compromised immune systems around them. Social isolation resulting from restrictions due to lockdown measures that are linked to feelings of uncertainty of the future, fear of new and unknown infective agents results in abnormally increased anxiety.

Social isolation also results in frustration and persistent loneliness causes inhibition of daily activities, not taking part in social networking activities and interruption of social necessities. These feelings sometimes lead to enhancing the risk of hopelessness and suicidal behavior in youngsters.

Coping with after effects of Covid-19

It is important to manage post-COVID conditions on time and many symptoms can be managed easily with timely treatment. Practicing breathing exercises helps in breathing properly as well as lowers stress and anxiety. This also helps with sleep and gives a positive effect on other symptoms.

Eating healthy food packed with minerals and vitamins, rich in protein helps in recovering from fatigue, reduces muscle pain and dizziness.

Steam helps in reducing the cough and improves the damage caused to the lungs. Doctors prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection. It is important to check the oxygen saturation level even after recovering from Covid-19. Covid-19 brings challenges every day, with changing symptoms and effects on patients making it difficult for doctors to follow a particular regime to treat patients. Behaviors make an enormous difference.

Precautions are important to combat COVID-19 like wearing masks, social distancing, following hand hygiene and self-monitoring of coronavirus symptoms are effective in limiting infection and spread of the disease. They are important for those with a vulnerable household or community members such as elderly people, chronically ill, or people with compromised immune systems.

Emotional and Psychological impact on youngsters

Terms like “social distancing,” “social isolation,” and “quarantine” have become integral parts of society due to the effect of Covid-19. There is a significant increase in feelings of boredom, functional impairment, worry, stigma, phobia, frustration and anger among youngsters. Some important factors affecting youngsters are discussed here.

Fear and uncertainty

Covid-19 has implemented necessary restricting measures which have created an unparalleled scenario that is dominated by fear and uncertainty. Not everyone is capable of combating the fear and uncertainty of the future, thus triggering defense responses among youngsters and adults. This is impacting mental health by triggering depression, anxiety, germ aversion and perceived infection from coronavirus.

The fear like being infected or infecting others, fear of being quarantined, as well as impact on mental health and economic instability might force people of taking drastic steps like suicide.

Economic Factor

Young people are greatly impacted due to setbacks in career, inability to provide support to the family and food, lack of basic supplies as well as financial loss. This has been profoundly linked with psychological distress and is a high risk factor for mental health disorders causing long lasting effects.

During the pandemic, cases of suicide due to financial impact have been reported from many countries. This has also caused an increase in crime rate, alcohol abuse and domestic violence due to increase in stress level and decrease in tolerance level.

Measures adapted to reduce Covid-19 impacts

In light of all the harmful consequences that are caused from the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that the government, the health authorities and the public communicate to endorse preventive and supportive measures. These would not only be effective to control the transmission of the disease, but also minimize emotional, behavioral and psychological impact among young and adults.

Awareness about mental health is important, as negligence in medical follow-up is one of the most important aspects to understand the mental health impact of COVID-19 pandemic among youth.

Outlook

Covid-19 pandemic has brought novel challenges to everyone in the world. The fear of transmission of virus has emotional, behavioral and psychological impact to the population. Vulnerable groups like youngsters require special attention in regard to prevention of harmful emotional repercussions of the pandemic, but also to provide the necessary assistance to combat the effects of pandemic.

If you or anyone you know is suffering from the after effects of Covid, our expert providers at Post Covid Centers will take care of your health and help you recover.

Call us on (469) 545-9983 to book a telehealth appointment for a home check-up.