RxDx Post-COVID Rehabilitation Clinic

The SARS-Cov-2 can reportedly infect cells from multiple organs like kidneys, skin, gastrointestinal tract etc. and affect systems like cardiovascular, neurological, etc. The virus not only triggers inflammatory response in the body but also causes complications like blood clotting, in some people.
Only a certain percentage of the population experiences the condition, possibly due to one or a few of many reasons, namely persistent presence of virus in blood (possibly due to patient’s inadequate or absent immune response), inflammatory or other immune response, relapse or reinfection, and post-traumatic stress or other mental health factors.

Clinical management of both types of post-COVID-19 requires a holistic and patient centric approach.
RxDx’s Post-COVID clinic is designed as a multidisciplinary facility intended to manage patients witnessing a delayed recovery from a COVID-19 episode managed either in a dedicated COVID Care Hospital (DCH), a COVID Care Centre (CCC), or in Home Isolation. Our mission is to help such patients rebound to their original health.

 

RxDx Post-COVID Clinic team comprises of:

• General Physician
• Nutritionist
• Counsellor
• Physiotherapist
• Nursing Team

We are also supported by:

• Cardiologist
• Gastroenterologist
• Pulmonologist
• Nephrologist
• Neurologist
• Dermatologist
• Lab Team
• Radiology Team
• Pharmacy Team

Ongoing researches in the UK suggest that as much as 10% of patients who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus remain unwell beyond three weeks, and a smaller proportion for months. Another study being conducted in the US reveals that only 65% of the patients have been able to rebound to pre-COVID health conditions 14-21 days after testing positive.

Unlike regular flu whose effects are limited within the respiratory system, SARS-COV-2 virus can attack multiple organs. Post-COVID syndrome or the post viral syndrome’s common neurological complaints have been fatigue (sometimes chronic fatigue) and brain fog (troubled memory or concentration).

In severe cases, patients have experienced what’s known as a ‘cytokine storm’ – a condition in which the human body’s immune system goes into a potentially fatal overdrive and causes multi-organ failure. This was noticed with influenza, SARS and MERS-CoV too.

Following long-term impacts are being noticed and monitored in patients who recovered from COVID-19:
• Shortness of breath
• Post viral cough
• Altered taste
• Fatigue / chronic fatigue
• Muscular weakness
• Headaches
• Confusion
• Scarring of the lung (symptom is persistent shortness of breath)
• Gastrointestinal tract infection
• Cardiovascular problems
• Skin issues
• Kidney ailments
• Neurological conditions like memory issues, confusion
• Mental health issues
• Blood clot that could lead to:
◦ Stroke or cause irreversible damage to the brain
◦ If the clot enters lungs, it can destroy the lung tissue

Usually, symptoms disappear in 2-3 weeks in case of mild COVID-19 patients. But an ongoing study at King’s College, London, reveals that as many as 200,000 patients have been reporting symptoms for over 6 weeks since the study was launched.

Ongoing studies shows that in few coronavirus patients, symptoms accelerate fast in the initial days, then completely disappear in about 2 -3 weeks and then returns with a wide-ranging symptom which were not seen in the first occurrence.

Heart, Lung, Brain – these are the prime organs reportedly suffering maximum damage by the infection.

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a neuroimmune condition that depletes one’s energy. ME/CFS is classified as fatigue lasting more than six weeks. It is a disabling and complex illness and can confine patients to bed for long duration. This condition often does not improve with rest. Reasons can be not one but a combination of several triggers like viral infections, stress, etc.

Patients experiencing long term effects are also known as COVID-Long Haulers.

According to experts, CFS can have debilitating impact on these COVID long-haulers. As per studies, CFS is triggered by flu which leaves:

• 75% of those affected unable to work
• 25% patients become homebound or bedridden
• It impacts 15 million to 30 million people worldwide,

Nothing could be said with a certainty. However ongoing studies appears to indicate:

• Some dysfunction in the central nervous system apparently triggered by COVID-19
• The affected patient doesn’t seem to exhibit the same level of cognitive abilities which was there prior to contracting the virus
• Common symptoms of CFS among the COVID long-haulers are fatigue, pain, post exercise-malaise, and “brain fog” – a problem related to memory and concentration