That the corona virus is not ‘just any flu’, is evident from research by, among others, the Long Fund and Maastricht University. No less than 95 percent of the ex-patients studied still have complaints after six months. Claudia Oosterling can talk about it all too well.
In March, the 32-year-old from Amsterdam got the corona virus, without initially realizing it. Shortness of breath and chest pain were some of her complaints. “I have asthma and I don’t think much about it,” Claudia tells Heart of the Netherlands.
“But in May I still had those complaints and then I sounded the alarm,” she continues. Her doctor allowed her to take an antibody test in early June to see if she had the disease. Conclusion: indeed, corona.
‘Battery often empty’
Claudia’s symptoms remained mild enough not to be hospitalized urgently. In fact, there probably wouldn’t even have been room for her. But it might have been better for her recovery and current condition. “My doctors also say: perhaps you would have had fewer complaints now if there had been a bed for you.”
The lung disease hit her hard and the effects are still noticeable six months later. “I am still very tired, I have chest pain and muscle pain all day long.” She always says to friends as if it feels like a phone “that has been on the charger all night, but is still only 40 percent full. And I have to do it all day long. ”
Also read: Research: 5 percent of corona patients complaint-free after six months
Recognition and alertness
Claudia herself has also participated in it research of the Longfonds. She is not surprised by the result and is therefore relieved to find that she is not the only one with long-term complaints. “The numbers don’t scare me anymore, I’m more like: glad I’m not the only one.”
According to her, the research contributes to recognition and the cultivation of alertness. “My message to other people is therefore: although it seems quiet now in terms of hospital admissions, please watch yourself.” And that message is not only addressed to the elderly. “I went into quarantine for my parents, but turned out to have it myself. And it is not just any small flu! ”
Long term corona
Director Michael Rutgers of the Long Fund endorses the latter and therefore cites the study once again. “Nearly 87 percent of the surveyed group is still fatigued. 59 percent are short of breath, 40 percent suffer from headaches and 35 percent from muscle pain. These are serious complaints that they keep for a long time. ”
The research results indicate to him that sufficient attention must continue to be paid to the long-term consequences of corona. According to Rutgers, ‘recognition’ and then ‘recognition’ are the key words.
“We think that this group of ex-patients is currently not well placed in the medical circuit. It must be ”, says the director. “If you ended up in the hospital, then you are in ‘the circuit’. But if you have experienced the same thing at home, there is a chance that you will not be properly received. ”
Also read: These are the places where you should now wear a mouth mask
A view on the future
Care providers who accompany ex-corona patients who have not been in hospital must pay even more closely, the Lung Fund wants. This includes general practitioners, physiotherapists and psychologists, for example. Stand shoulder to shoulder with these people to find solutions. We must all learn how we are going to get out of this now and how we can help these people well, ”emphasizes Rutgers. He advises ex-corona patients who still have complaints and want to learn more about them to take a look at coronalongplein.nl.
Meanwhile, the cheerful Claudia does not lose heart. She looks ahead with confidence to the time ahead, even if ‘the battery’ is sometimes quickly empty or even not charged at all. “I am hopeful and positive, also for the future!”
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