Doctors voice long Covid fears as patients battle depression, fatigue

Barwon Health is bracing for an increase in long Covid patients, revealing what they have learnt so far and the race to discover the likelihood of prolonged illness for people who contract the Omicron strain.

Doctors fear long Covid, which sees patients continue to suffer months after they are initially infected, could become a significant problem amid high coronavirus case numbers.

Long Covid refers to symptoms that continue for more than three months after infection and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis.

Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan said with long Covid affecting up to 15 per cent of people with coronavirus, there were concerns it could potentially become a significant problem, especially with the effects of fatigue.

“Barwon Health is monitoring a small number of people who have long Covid, with fatigue and depression as the most common symptoms,” Prof Athan said.

Professor Eugene Athan. Picture: Alison Wynd

Western Victoria Primary Health Network clinical spokeswoman Anne Stephenson said worldwide understanding of long Covid was still evolving.

“We do know from patients experiencing it that it is debilitating and uncertain, and not something to be taken lightly,” she said.

“Having a mild illness does not mean a person won’t suffer from long Covid.”

Barwon Health is conducting research on long Covid, which Prof Athan said was expected to be released later this year.

This would allow the study to include some cases of people who experienced the Omicron strain, Prof Athan said.

“It remains to be seen whether people with Omicron can be affected by long Covid as severely as with previous strains,” he said.

“Long Covid can be managed in the community by GPs and we encourage anyone feeling ongoing effects to contact their GP.”

Dr Stephenson said it was quite common to see persistent symptoms following acute Covid-19 infection.

“The most common physical symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain and cough,” she said.

“Common psychological and cognitive symptoms include poor concentration, insomnia, anxiety and depression.”

Dr Stephenson said if people still had symptoms around three months or more from the original Covid infection, there was a chance they may be suffering from long Covid.

“It is important to visit your GP for further tests if this happens,” she said.

“If the symptoms are significantly impacting your life you can be referred to a

rehabilitation service to support your recovery.”

Originally published as Doctors voice long Covid fears as patients battle depression, fatigue