Understanding Post-Covid Syndrome
Although most people who have a mild case of COVID-19 recover quickly, around one in ten patients will report prolonged symptoms that can last for several weeks or even months. These symptoms can include chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, a cough and loss of sense of taste and smell, among others. Where symptoms persist past twelve weeks, this is known as post-Covid syndrome.
If your symptoms last for more than twelve weeks, you may require support to ensure that you recover well. NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) have compiled a variety of self-help resources, as well as information on the services available locally that can assist you with post-Covid syndrome. This information covers things like diet, exercise and smoking (if applicable), getting back to work and when to seek further support.
Across the Tees Valley, Local Authorities and NHS Trusts offer a wealth of support to people living with post-Covid syndrome, such as the Tees Active post-Covid programme in Stockton-on-Tees, which aims to increase physical activity levels, Project Restart in South Tees, which offers a twelve-week wellbeing programme, and clinics at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offer support from multidisciplinary teams following a GP referral.
You can access this information on the NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB Tees Valley website.
If you have reviewed the self-help guidance and think you need to speak to someone regarding your symptoms, you should seek medical advice by either contacting your GP, who will offer a telephone consultation (and arrange a face-to-face appointment if necessary) or contacting the NHS 111 service, either by calling 111 to speak to an adviser, or completing the online webform.
If you begin to develop symptoms such as worsening shortness of breath, new chest pain, confusion or weakness of a limb or your face, you must seek urgent medical attention by calling 999.
