Some COVID-19 Survivors Experience Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Long After Recovery

By Neil P. First Posted: Nov 08, 2020 08:38 AM EST

Doctors are now examining the link of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome that may occur after the COVID-19 patient recovered from the infectious and deadly virus.

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There are many records and evidence that COVID-19 recovered patients reported that they continue to experience lasting symptoms of the virus.

Symptoms like fever, shortness of breathing, and dry cough appear before the diagnosis, but only a few people knew that chronic fatigue syndrome may appear even after recovering from the virus.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country's leading disease and infectious expert, said at a July news conference organized by the International AIDS Society that a post-viral syndrome may be associated with COVID-19.

He also explained that this is after he received lots of phone calls from those who shared their experiences after they recovered from the virus.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged this post-viral syndrome that other recovered patients experienced.

It is estimated that more than 2.5 million Americans continue to suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. Though little is only known about this until today.

Dr. Mark VanNess, department chair of Health and Exercise Science at the University of the Pacific, said that around 75 to 80 percent of chronic fatigue syndromes cases are post-viral in nature.

In a published article in ABC News, he said, "The viral infection and following immune response are precipitating causes for long-term symptoms."

On the other hand, researchers and scientists were already studying the link between chronic fatigue syndrome towards the Epstein-Barr Virus before the birth of COVID-19. It has been known before that a person may develop this syndrome after a viral infection.

This has led many researchers to explore whether the two conditions might be connected. Chronic fatigue syndrome can last long, which may lead to functional impairments.

One of these is a post-exertional malaise which causes extreme fatigue following physical or cognitive activity. This impairment can last for weeks.

Dr. Lily Chu, vice president of the International Association for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, said that this prolonged fatigue after exertion makes chronic fatigue syndrome unique. This adds up to the body of evidence about the lingering symptoms that many COVID-19 survivors are facing.

"For most diseases like heart or lung disease, or even arthritis, post-exertional symptoms happen immediately after the activity. The combination, duration, and severity of these symptoms makes life unpredictable for patients," Dr. Chu explained.

These discoveries will also help the understanding of scientists and researchers of chronic fatigue syndrome that have dramatically evolved in recent years.

Before, patients were encouraged to increase their physical activity but now they are advised to know their limitations and are encouraged to rest after they have reached their limit.

VanNess explained, "Eliminate physical stress, learn pacing and energy-management methods, educate family members about the illness and intervene in a systematic way."

Patients are now also advised to avoid the pressure to return to work or resume normal activities until symptoms are under control, according to CDC.