Follow-up examinations after COVID-19 should be performed especially in the case of post-postdose syndrome. Most people recover from COVID-19. However, for some people, the effects of the infection may still be felt for weeks or even months after the end of the disease. This includes people who have not been hospitalized and have had COVID-19 mildly. Find out what tests to do after a coronavirus infection.
Follow-up tests after COVID-19are recommended especially after reporting symptoms that develop after COVID-19, last more than 12 weeks and are not due to a different diagnosis.
The most commonly reported long-term symptoms after transitioning to COVID-19 include:
- chronic fatigue,
- shortness of breath,
- cough,
- joint and muscle pain,
- difficulty thinking and concentrating,
- depressive disorder,
- palpitations,
- rash,
- hair loss,
- sleep disorders,
- problems with smell and taste.
In addition, there are more serious complications after COVID-19 that require immediate diagnosis. For this purpose, you should contact your GP, who will decide what tests to order for the patient.
Follow-up after COVID-19 - general research
After a patient reports disturbing symptoms after passing COVID-19, the primary care physician conducts a detailed interview, measures blood pressure and uses a pulse oximeter. In the first place, he also orders basic laboratory tests, such as:
- general urine test,
- blood count with smear,
- thyrotropin (TSH),
- free thyroxine (fT4),
- CRP protein,
- glucose,
- lipidogram,
- electrolytes.
Follow-up after COVID-19 - lungs
Patients undergoing COVID-19 very often develop pneumonia and, in extreme cases, experience acute respiratory distress syndrome and septic shock.
A history of pneumonia after COVID-19 may leave the lungs with frosted glass changes visible on X-rays, as well as thickening of blood vessels and bronchiectasis.
Some people who have had COVID-19 may develop reduced tolerancephysical exertion manifested by:
- chest pain,
- feeling of tightness in the chest,
- wheezing
- and out of breath.
In this case, the doctor usually orders a series of functional and imaging examinations of the respiratory system:
- spirometry test,
- X-ray or chest tomography
And in case of abnormalities, the doctor orders a pulmonary consultation.
Follow-up after COVID-19 - cardiovascular system
A feeling of tightness in the chest and a decreased tolerance to exercise may also indicate problems with the heart and circulatory system. Having COVID-19 may increase the likelihood of blood cells clumping together and forming clots.
Large blood clots can cause heart attacks and strokes. It appears that most of the damage to the heart muscle after undergoing COVID-19 may be due to the formation of tiny blood clots that block tiny blood vessels.
Other parts of the body where small blood clots may occur are:
- lungs,
- lower limbs,
- liver
- and kidneys.
To assess the condition of the heart, the doctor orders:
- Resting ECG,
- ultrasound of the heart (echo of the heart),
- Holter test.
Blood laboratory tests such as:
- D-dimers (assessment of the intravascular coagulation process),
- BNP (assessment of the cardiac efficiency).
And in case of abnormalities, the doctor orders a cardiological consultation.
Follow-up tests after COVID-19 - liver and kidneys
COVID-19 can weaken blood vessels and cause them to leak, which can contribute to liver and kidney problems. In order to assess the function of the kidneys and liver, the doctor orders laboratory tests:
- bilirubin,
- ALT,
- AST,
- creatinine,
- urea,
- uric acid.
An ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity may also be necessary.
Follow-up after COVID-19 - nervous system
People who have had a severe form of COVID-19 may have an increased risk of developing:
- post-traumatic stress disorder,
- depressed
- and drug disorders.
In addition, many people who have recovered from COVID-19 develop:
- chronic fatigue syndrome,
- difficulty thinking and concentrating,
- mood changes,
- depressive disorders.
Typically neurological symptoms may also appear, such as:
- numbness in the limbs iface.
In the event of such symptoms, the primary care physician, in addition to performing basic tests, may issue a referral to a neurologist, psychiatrist or recommend a consultation with a psychologist.
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