COVID-19 is an ongoing threat caused by a virus capable of creating lung problems that persist long after your infection clears. Whether your symptoms just started or you have lingering issues, Andrew R. Freedman, MD, and Gichel Watson, RPAC, at Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine Group, LLC, offer integrative care that supports healing and recovery. They have an office in Monroe, New Jersey, and one in Evanston, Wyoming, but they provide first-rate COVID-19 care through telemedicine. To get immediate help, call or connect online today to schedule a virtual visit.
COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This is one of many coronaviruses that cause respiratory infections. However, COVID-19 can also affect many body systems beyond your lungs.
Coronaviruses like the one responsible for COVID-19 continuously mutate to create new variants. Each variant has slightly different genetics that make it more or less dangerous. However, all variants are related to SARS-CoV-2.
COVID-19 doesn’t always cause symptoms, but even if you don’t have symptoms, you can spread the virus.
If you have symptoms, they appear 2-14 days after you’re exposed to the virus and cause one or more of the following:
Your symptoms may be mild or so severe you need hospitalization. You should seek medical care as soon as you develop difficulty breathing or if you have chest pain or confusion.
Since COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory illness, it immediately affects your lungs, potentially causing pneumonia, bronchitis, and in severe cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Pneumonia doesn’t usually cause scarring, but tissue damage is common with COVID pneumonia.
After the active COVID-19 infection clears, lung symptoms often linger. You have double the risk of developing long-lasting respiratory conditions. Additionally, one-third of patients who developed COVID pneumonia, especially those who needed respirators, continue to have lung problems a year after their COVID-19 infection.
Vaccines and booster shots are the best defense against COVID-19. Several medications are available that can prevent serious illness, but only if you take them within 5-7 days after your symptoms begin. If you develop symptoms, don’t wait to contact Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine Group, LLC to request a telemedicine appointment.
The team also provides conservative treatment for your lung problems. Your care may include medications, breathing exercises, and respiratory therapy.
While COVID lung damage usually heals, it can take a year or longer to recover. During your recovery, your provider offers ongoing support that promotes healing through optimal nutrition and hydration.
To get exceptional care for COVID-19, call the office or request a telemedicine appointment online today.