HOW WE TREAT LONG COVID & POST-VIRAL FATIGUE
At Breakspear Medical, we offer an integrative approach to post-viral fatigue and chronic illness. Our goal is to offer both relief and an improved quality of life for those suffering from Post Covid, Long Covid or any other post-viral syndrome. Rather than treating only symptoms, we focus on identifying root causes in order to put patients on a path towards recovery.
Utilising both allopathic and alternative medical treatments, our Clinical Team offers comprehensive care designed to address the pathogen, the immune system and detoxification systems (including hyperthermia treatment with the IRATHERM®), as well as other complications that may arise from chronic illness.
While specific treatments for Post Covid and Long Covid have yet to be studied extensively, post-viral treatments have become a mainstay in many of our recovery plans for those suffering from post-viral fatigue and post-viral syndrome. After more than three decades’ worth of experience utilising such methods, we are confident in their applicability and believe they can provide immense benefits to those who need them.
If you suffer from Long Covid or post-viral fatigue, make an appointment for an initial consultation.
Long Covid and post-viral fatigue syndrome are both syndromes with similar symptoms. It can be that having Covid-19 infection can provoke a reactivation of other viral infections, which had been dormant.
Jean Monro, Environmental Naturopath
SUPPLEMENTS FOR LONG COVID & POST-VIRAL FATIGUE
For Long Covid and post-viral fatigue sufferers, taking multivitamins and minerals, together with vitamins A and D, zinc and folic acid is all part of the first step to working towards feeling better. Other supplements including alpha lipoic acid and gingko biloba, which may be recommended.
The aim is to strengthen your immune system so that it may help control the virus and prevent the reactivation of the recent infection and of any other dormant viruses that may be present. Unfortunately, it appears that there are viral reservoirs in our bodies, which allow reactivation to occur at opportune times, which is usually when the immune system weakens again.
A combination of supplements that have demonstrated to have beneficial properties which address viral infections and have been shown to strengthen the immune system against their effects will be recommended by a member of our Clinical Team. Often supplements are used in prescribed doses, which may vary considerably from the standard, recommended doses. A wide range of herbal remedies can also help. Our Environmental Naturopath and Nutritional Therapist can advise you on the best supplementation programme for you.
SYMPTOMS OF LONG COVID & POST-VIRAL FATIGUE
The more common symptoms of Long Covid and post-viral fatigue are:
- overall feeling of tiredness or exhaustion
- shortness of breath
- concentration/memory problems (brain fog)
- sore throat
- cough
- headaches
- unexplained muscular or joint pain
- swollen lymph nodes
- chest pain
- heart palpitations
- rashes
Long Covid describes the signs and symptoms that develop during or following a Covid‐19 infection, which continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis.
Post-viral fatigue (PVF) and post-viral syndrome (PVS) are defined similarly to Long Covid. Some viruses that have been found to cause PVF and PVF are:
- Epstein-Barr
- West Nile virus
- human herpesvirus 6
- rubella
Unfortunately, as time goes on, we have noted that some patients develop additional issues that contribute to a chronic inflammatory response syndrome that require support as well. This is due to the compensatory nature of the human body to maintain balance and to resolve ongoing inflammation.
There are many similarities between the symptoms of Long Covid and PVS/PVF when compared to ME/CFS. We have been treating people with ME/CFS for many years and often in early pathology investigations, we have found one or more dormant viruses reactivated.
If you suffer from Long Covid or post-viral fatigue, make an appointment for an initial consultation.
ARTICLES ON LONG COVID & POST-VIRAL FATIGUE
We have shared information about Long Covid in our Breakspear Medical Bulletin recently including:
FAQS
What is the difference between Long Covid and post viral fatigue/syndrome?
Long Covid and post-viral fatigue can both cause significant symptoms and lingering effects, making them similar to one another. Recently, experts are beginning to believe that infection with Covid-19 may result in a recrudescence of old viral infections that were previously latent. Common symptoms include fatigue, headache, malaise, and others. The unique spike protein associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is known for damaging blood vessel linings and resulting in tiny clots being carried throughout the body. In this way, it creates a different pattern than other upper respiratory tract infections do; one relating to small infarcts in tissues. These must be carefully managed depending on their severity and directed to restoring patient tissue as soon as possible.
Sometimes with post-Covid syndrome, there can be cardiac or neurological complications or respiratory system complications, which are severe and need to be addressed each individually. Those people with Epstein-Barr virus, glandular fever, or induced post-viral syndrome have a particular problem in that this virus interferes with vitamin D usage in the body and it can be a recrudescence after Covid-19; big doses of vitamin D are required to address this. Also, there are specific treatments for loss of sense of smell and taste, which can happen after Covid-19 infections.
What do you offer at Breakspear Medical for Long Covid or post-viral fatigue which is different to other clinics?
We offer comprehensive evaluation and treatment of individuals in order to improve their immune resilience for Long Covid and post-viral fatigue. Everything from food sensitivities to co-infections to nutritional state and chemical sensitivities can be taken into consideration when designing a plan for an individual patient. We use antivirals, infusions, hyperthermia treatments and anticoagulants as needed, depending on the circumstances. Additionally, we focus not just on the immediate treatment but long-term support as well; diet and gastrointestinal health can play a huge role in overall health, so we strive to make sure each patient is given everything they need to lead a healthier lifestyle.
Who is most at risk of developing Long Covid?
Those most at risk for developing Long Covid are individuals who are living with other illnesses, elderly people, those with disabilities, and those whose skin melanin prevents them from soaking up enough Vitamin D from sunlight. Unfortunately, given this situation, certain ethnic minority groups may be more likely to get Long Covid due to their higher concentration of melanin and subsequent lack of sufficient Vitamin D absorption.
Is Long Covid contagious?
The answer is no, Long Covid is not contagious. Scientists have determined that the viruses that cause Long Covid are within the individual suffering from the symptoms and not likely expelled in their exhaled breath.
