Lung Society: Revised Instructions - Long Post Covid Symptoms

The Hellenic Lung Society is reviewing the instructions for Long Post Covid Syndrome.

With the aim of helping doctors of all specialties in the diagnosis and management of Long Post Covid syndrome. Patients -who have COVID-19 who present symptoms or signs of possible long-term complications of the disease (Long Covid) or have doubts and concerns about their recovery- are also informed that they can also go to the private pulmonologists in their area. . as Competent Physicians they know the disease and its possible complications.

Revised guidelines for long post-covid syndrome

The revised guidelines are the result of the exchange of experiences and points of view of the members of the Ltd., with experts from international organizations and the use of similar guidelines published by different research teams.

The term “long COVID syndrome” includes symptoms and signs, as well as complications (late or long-term) that persist or appear 4 weeks after SARS-COV-2 infection. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) proposes the following terminology for the stages after SARS-COV-2 infection:

1. Acute COVID-19: affects signs and symptoms for up to 4 weeks
2. Ongoing symptomatic COVID-19: refers to signs and symptoms from 4 to 12 weeks
3. Post-COVID-19 syndrome: refers to signs and symptoms that develop during or after COVID-19 infection and persist for more than 12 weeks, without being attributable to an alternative diagnosis.

It follows from the above that the long term COVID-19 includes post-COVID-19 and persistent symptomatic COVID-19 syndrome. COVID-19, in addition to being a virus that infects the respiratory tract, also affects other systems. Thus, patients with persistent symptoms after 3 months should clearly start the diagnostic test from the respiratory system (in the case of interstitial lung disease induced by COVID-19). In the event that respiratory control does not result in an adequate justification of the symptoms, control should be continued in cardiovascular and other entities.

Dr. Stylianos Vittorakis Head Pulmonologist – Tuberculologist of the EIA PHC Working Group explains that the term prolonged COVID-19 syndrome describes long-term symptoms that appear in patients with COVID-19 disease, appearing months after onset or if they start after the illness. “It is estimated that approximately two in ten patients with COVID-19 have a prolonged COVID-19 syndrome. “With early recognition of this syndrome and proper treatment, we can improve the quality of life of our patients and alleviate the complications of the COVID-19 disease”.

“We must all understand the important role of the pulmonologist at all levels of the health system in the management and treatment of respiratory effects following COVID-19 infection. EPE has created a detailed version of instructions with practical algorithms to help the clinician to address the short-term and sometimes long-term effects of COVID-19 infection,” emphasizes EPE President Stelios Loukidis, EPP Professor.

According to Argyrios Tzouvelekis, Associate Professor of Pneumology, Director of the Pulmonary Clinic at the University of Patras, “The long-standing syndrome of COVID-19 is currently the greatest threat to public health, after acute coronavirus infection. Since the lung, the most serious complication of the syndrome is called pulmonary fibrosis and is characterized by multiple scars in the lung parenchyma, remnants of coronavirus infection. It occurs in 10-20% of seriously ill patients. “Since around 4000 patients have been discharged from the ICU to date, the future impact of the syndrome on public health is particularly significant.

Aphrodite Boutou MD, MSc, PhD, coordinator of the Physiology and Pathophysiology of Rehabilitation of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation working group Pulmonologist, Director of the Pulmonary Clinic, “Hippocrates” General Hospital notes: “Patients often present with exercise and difficulty breathing, even with normal respiratory function.Inclusion in specialized therapeutic exercise-pulmonary rehabilitation programs provided by a team of specialists in specific centers, can significantly improve your symptoms and quality of life.

List of Post Covid Pulmonary Clinics

For citizens who wish to contact public health structures, here is a list of Post Covid Pulmonary Clinics throughout Greece, with detailed information in the list below.

source: iefi merida