Many people who get sick with a COVID-19 infection fully recover. Some, however, experience symptoms that can linger long after their initial illness. Known as long COVID or post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), this condition can be frustrating. It may interfere with your daily activities or make returning to work or school challenging.
The good news is that help is available. Urgent care is a great choice when you need treatment for troublesome post-COVID symptoms. Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care in Louisiana offers the rapid, high-quality care you need.
What Is Long COVID?
Some people experience lingering COVID symptoms after an infection. This condition is known as long COVID. People who experience long COVID may have symptoms for 3 to 6 months after their initial infection, and sometimes even longer. Experiencing symptoms for 3 months after a COVID infection can help providers diagnose this condition.
Post-COVID-19 Symptoms
A wide variety of symptoms have been connected to long COVID-19. Some of the most common include:
- Fatigue, especially after activity.
- Brain fog.
- Lightheadedness or dizziness.
- Issues with taste or smell.
- Sleep difficulties.
- Coughing.
- Headaches.
- Shortness of breath.
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat.
- Digestive problems (diarrhea, bloating, or constipation).
- Pain.
- Ringing in the ears.
- Depression.
- Anxiety.
- Muscle or joint pain.
When Should I Go to Urgent Care for Long COVID?
If you’re experiencing ongoing, bothersome symptoms after a COVID-19 infection, visiting an urgent care provider is a good choice. A provider can discuss your symptoms and help you get the relief you need.
It’s a good idea to bring any medical records and a medication list to your urgent care visit. This will better enable your provider to diagnose and treat your symptoms. Be ready to discuss your symptoms, including what relieves them, what makes them worse, and what treatments you’ve tried.
What Can Urgent Care Do for Lingering COVID Symptoms?
Urgent care providers are experienced in providing care for a wide variety of health conditions in people of all ages. This enables them to help you if you’re experiencing long COVID symptoms.
Depending on your symptoms and health history, you may need a blood test, chest X-ray, or other diagnostic testing. An urgent care provider can do this testing onsite, ensuring you get the treatment you need promptly. Sometimes, another illness or infection can mimic post-COVID symptoms, and a provider can help rule this out.
For certain symptoms, a specialist may be able to provide focused care. If indicated, an urgent care provider can help connect you to the appropriate specialist.
Risk Factors for Long COVID
Anyone can develop lingering COVID symptoms, even those who had a mild illness. There do seem to be some risk factors, however, for developing long COVID. These include:
- Having a severe COVID-19 infection that may have required hospitalization.
- Having a chronic condition like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, or asthma.
- Having had multisystem inflammatory syndrome during or after a COVID-19 infection.
- Not having had a COVID-19 vaccine.
Older adults and women may also be at higher risk of developing long COVID.
If you have post-COVID-19 symptoms after recovery, visit our caring, experienced team at Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care. We’re open 7 days a week to ensure you get the top-tier care you deserve.
