Coronavirus-Patienten noch Monate nach ihrer Erkrankung leiden." data-reactid="12">New evidence suggests that chronic fatigue can be a side effect coronavirus patients suffer months after they become ill.
Initial research suggests that four out of five cases of infection are mild, with most recovering completely.
However, a small number of those who have recovered now appear to be suffering from persistent complications after the virus has disappeared from the body – the so-called post-COVID syndrome.
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Coronavirus-Patienten haben nach Abklingen der Infektion von Erschöpfung und extremer Müdigkeit berichtet. Foto:Getty Images" data-reactid="22">
Coronavirus patients have reported exhaustion and extreme tiredness after the infection subsided. Photo: Getty Images
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The director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci says that an “extraordinary” number of those who have recovered have developed symptoms that are “strikingly similar” to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
An official survey of 292 people who survived the infection found that more than a third (35%) had no motive power two to three weeks after the positive test result.
This fits in with reports of actor Tom Hanks, 63, who complained of feeling “permanently exhausted”. He and his wife Rita Wilson contracted the virus while filming in Australia in March.
The Oscar winner and his wife had fully recovered after two weeks.
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Coronavirus-Erkrankung überstehen, leidet angeblich an Erschöpfung. Foto: Getty Images" data-reactid="39">
An “extraordinary” number of people who survive coronavirus disease are reportedly suffering from exhaustion. Photo: Getty Images
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Chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), usually causes patients to feel extremely tired and generally unwell.
In severe cases, a patient may not be able to cope with everyday life. This, in turn, can have an impact on mental health as well.
In 2018, it was estimated that 250,000 Australians suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. Of these, 25% – or 62,500 cases – are severe or very severe and are likely to be confined to the house or bed.
USA ging man 2015 davon aus, dass zwischen 836.000 und 2,5 Millionen US-Amerikanern an der Erkrankung leiden. Die meisten davon bleiben allerdings unerkannt." data-reactid="46">In 2015, it was estimated that between 836,000 and 2.5 million Americans had the disease. Most of them, however, remain undetected.
While it’s unclear what exactly causes chronic fatigue, it can be triggered by viral infections such as glandular fever.
Most patients get better over time, but some are never completely cured.
Post-viral exhaustion or feeling drained can theoretically also occur after fighting a virus.
“Even after surviving the virus, there are post-viral symptoms,” said Dr. Fauci.
“I know that because a lot of people call me and tell me about their progress.”
“It is extraordinary how many people have a post-viral syndrome that is strikingly similar to the syndrome of myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome.”
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It is estimated that a quarter of a million Australians suffer from chronic fatigue. Photo: Getty images
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Of the 292 convalescents surveyed by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 274 had at least one similar symptom during their illness.
When interviewed again two to three weeks after testing positive, these patients all complained of around seven of the centers’ 17 symptoms. 35 percent indicated persistent exhaustion.
According to the Australian Ministry of Health, the main symptoms of the virus are fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath.
The US definition is much broader and includes less common symptoms such as headaches, a runny nose, and nausea or diarrhea.
Coronavirus erkrankt waren, wieder ganz auf der Höhe sind." data-reactid="74">Research has shown that it can take a while for people who have contracted the coronavirus to be up to speed again.
According to the UK government, the tell-tale cough or loss of smell or taste from the infection can “last for several weeks if the infection is over”.
China ausgewertet hat." data-reactid="76">In mild cases it seems to be over within a few weeks, while more severe cases struggle with it for up to six weeks. This was the result of an analysis by the WorldHealth Organization, which evaluated data from China.
Research suggests that people develop chronic fatigue syndrome when activation of the immune system in response to the virus results in inflammation that causes fatigue.
The results show that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have elevated levels of two molecules called interleukin-6 and interleukin-10, which cause inflammation.
Coronavirus-Patienten stark erhöht." data-reactid="79">These are also greatly increased in seriously ill coronavirus patients.
There are calls for further examinations of the so-called post-COVID symptom. And some scientists wonder if it is a disease in its own right.
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