COVID is a disease that primarily affects the lungs and causes respiratory diseases. Cough, sore throat, fever, and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms of Covid. These are also seen in new mutations and directly wreck the respiratory system.
But, Long Covid also causes fatigue, and joint and bone pain, and the symptoms worsen after little physical or mental exertion.
Symptoms after long Covid
People who have arthritis experience heightened levels of pain in their joints even after months of recovering from the corona. Reactive arthritis develops after recovering from Covid-19.
Reactive arthritis is the same as regular arthritis. When it comes to long COVID, the knee becomes the most painful joint. Patients even complain of enthesitis and inflammatory lower back pain.
“There are a few reasons for this musculoskeletal pain. First, direct viral toxicity, endothelial cell damage, and dysregulation of the immune response lead to exaggerated inflammation leading to muscular pain. Second, the muscular pain and long recovery time of coronavirus may cause stiffness and immobility in the joints that eventually end up causing joint pains”, says Dr. Rajeev Verma, HOD and consultant – Joint Replacement and Orthopaedics, HCMCT Manipal Hospitals.
Also read: CDSCO confirms WHO alert on contaminants in Punjab-made cough syrup.
Inflammatory arthritis can onset a condition that may persist even after the corona is gone. Therefore, post covid joint pain should also be taken seriously.
“After recovering from corona they should keep their muscles and joints moving by moderately stretching and working out. A sedentary lifestyle hurts the body even without any infection, so patients must maintain at least 15-30 minutes of physical activity each day. Other than that a cold and hot compress and adequate rest can help in reducing inflammation in the joints and eventually subside the pain,” advises Dr. Verma.
