05/04/2022
As COVID-19 has now circulated through our community, many of us are navigating our way through getting sick, being sick and recovery.
COVID is a different illness in itself and contrary to popular belief it is not similar to the common cold where exercise while sick may help your recovery.
In fact, exercise during the first 10 days of having COVID may increase your risk of developing long COVID.
As COVID progresses, we are still learning about the long term affects of having the condition, long COVID being one of the learning steps.
The World health organization (WHO) defines long COVID as: a post covid condition that occurs in those who have had a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 with symptoms that last at least 2 months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. People may also experience new symptoms as part of long covid that were not present during the acute phase of infection.
Common symptoms of long covid include:
- Fatigue which is now reported as the most common symptom which mimics other viral infections such as chronic fatigue.
- Shortness of breath (SOB)
- Cognitive dysfunction such as ‘brain fog’
- Headaches
- Muscle aches and pains
- Sleeps disturbances
- Fast heart rate
- Joint pain
So what can be done to reduce the risk of developing long covid?
Rest is best!
This thought may challenge those of us who feel it is best to exercise while sick. In the case of COVID and potentially worsening symptoms of long covid, rest is what the body is asking for. This is particularly important for the first 10 days of having the infection.
The British Journal of sports medicine (BJSM) has released a good infographic to guide athletes back to sport after being infected with COVID-19. Although this research addresses athletes, it can still be used as a guide to return to normal exercise. Swipe to see the details!
