Almost a quarter of a million people in Ireland are suffering from Long Covid, a new survey has found.
The already overstretched health care system is being put under further pressure as so many people are left with long-term systems after contracting Covid-19. The research carried out on behalf of Independent TD Denis Naughten found there are 230,559 people in Ireland suffering with conditions associated with Long Covid.
If you have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in the last few months and haven't been feeling right since, you could be suffering from long Covid. The HSE have complied a list of signs to help you identify if you could be one of those suffering.
Read more: Number of Dubliners suffering with Long Covid revealed as health service struggles
These are the most common signs of Long Covid:
- extreme tiredness (fatigue)
- shortness of breath
- chest pain or tightness
- problems with memory and thinking (‘brain fog’)
- problems sleeping (insomnia)
- heart palpitations
- dizziness
- pins and needles or numbness
- joint pain or muscle pain
- depression and anxiety
- tinnitus, earaches
- feeling sick, diarrhoea, stomach aches, loss of appetite, weight loss
- a high temperature, cough, headaches, sore throat
- changes to sense of smell or taste
- rashes
The HSE are cautioning the public that it is possible you may have some of these symptoms, even if you did not initially have them when you were first sick with Covid.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms for longer than a period of 4 weeks, even if they come and go and especially if they are impacting your day-to-day living, then keep a note of them and make an appointment with your GP.
The HSE say that "there is no single treatment for Long Covid. Treatment options depend on your symptoms and how they affect your day-to-day activities."
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