Long covid is a prolonged illness experienced by patients who have recently recovered from a covid infection. The symptoms continue for more than 12 weeks after a covid infection and can’t be explained by another cause. Long covid is real and impacts ability to work and that has implications for employers; hence OH physicians have a role to play as they are experts in diseases and other concerns of occupations.

Some of the common symptoms are – extreme tiredness, shortness of breath, chest discomfort, joint pains, memory and concentration related difficulties. The list of uncommon symptoms run long – and anything that can’t be explained as having another cause is probably long covid.

University College London (UCL) has identified 200 symptoms affecting 10 organ systems in people with long covid. The severity of these symptoms varies, but many are unable to perform tasks like showering, shopping groceries and remembering words.

Anyone who had covid, mild or severe, can get long covid. Several studies as well as health record databases at King’s College London suggest 1-2% of people in their 20s who had the virus would develop long Covid, compared with 5% of people in their 60s. Dr Claire Steves, one of the study’s authors says “But 1-2% of 100,000 cases a day is a lot of people.”

Role of vaccination is important – around 50% of people with long covid show an improvement in their symptoms after being vaccinated. Experts say that vaccination possibly helps by resetting the immune response or by helping the body fight any residual fragments of the virus.

Role of vaccination is important – around 50% of people with long covid show an improvement in their symptoms after being vaccinated.

OH physicians understand the importance of sick employees on a company’s performance. Their advice to management regarding the pandemic situation – its short-term and long-term effect on employees (ergonomics and mental health), health issues peculiar to pandemic (long covid), reopening of offices, medical checks, travel etc. has been useful.

In a company, the OH physicians could encourage vaccinations by demonstrating its utility both in its ability to prevent infections, decrease the severity if infected and improvement in symptoms of long covid.

The OH physician simplifies the meaning of long covid to the management and advises about its implications – that some employees may take longer than others after a covid infection and be given the necessary space, time and support to recover.

The OH physician could facilitate any appropriate care (including opinions from medical specialists) required and reassure the employees having long covid so that they could regain confidence and recover speedily.

The OH physician informs the HR to be aware and be supportive to some employees who had covid as they may temporarily require to continue working from home, modification of job or even extended sick leave as the case may be.

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