The term COVID fatigue or post-viral fatigue describes a state of paralysing exhaustion and weakness that occurs as a late consequence of a COVID infection. Even the smallest activities become a major challenge for patients. Post-viral tiredness had already been described earlier in connection with various viral infections, among others after infections with certain herpes simplex viruses or with the Epstein-Barr virus.
Since the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it has become clear that post-viral fatigue frequently also follows coronavirus disease, hence the name COVID fatigue.
Characteristics of post-viral fatigue
The symptoms of post-viral fatigue syndrome mainly comprise pronounced weakness, lack of drive and tiredness. These may be accompanied by difficulty concentrating, memory problems and word-finding difficulties. There are striking parallels with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Post-viral exhaustion can be so severe that those affected are no longer able to work in their profession.
Symptoms at a glance
- Tiredness
- Lack of drive
- Weakness
- Lack of energy
- Concentration problems
- Memory disorders
- Word-finding difficulties
- Headaches
- Joint and muscle pain
- Sleep disorders
Post-viral tiredness, post-viral syndrome and Long COVID: what is the difference?
The term post-viral syndrome refers to a large complex of late consequences of various viral diseases. Such consequences of viral infections have been known for many years, although they have still not been conclusively researched.
Post-viral fatigue comprises some of these signs of disease (see list). The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10) lists post-viral fatigue syndrome under code G93.3.
Finally, the terms Long COVID, Post-COVID-19 or Post-COVID syndrome or Post-COVID fatigue are used when the complaints are specifically triggered by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, that is, when the long-term symptoms are attributable to a coronavirus disease. In ICD-10, the post-COVID condition is listed under the provisional code U09.9.
Since the emergence of coronavirus disease, the terms Long COVID, COVID fatigue, post-viral fatigue and post-viral syndrome have often been treated as equivalent, although they do not describe exactly the same thing.
Causes provide starting points for therapy
The causes of post-viral fatigue have not yet been fully researched. There are indications that the chronic exhaustion is connected with misdirected immune reactions following the viral infection. Damage to the nervous system is also a possibility.
In general, low intracellular glutathione levels can also cause a severe lack of energy. Since lowered glutathione values often occur as a consequence of viral diseases, this represents a further possible starting point for successful treatment of post-viral fatigue.
Eumetabol® has proven itself for over 30 years as a compounded medicine (Rezepturarzneimittel) for various forms of fatigue. It therefore also offers an ideal therapy option for post-viral fatigue.
What can be done about chronic tiredness after a viral infection?
Intracellular glutathione therapy with Eumetabol® has already helped many patients with chronic exhaustion. However, restoring an optimal glutathione balance is not the only important factor. The most important measure that those affected can take themselves is to behave correctly during the convalescence phase after an infection: avoid stress, make sure you get sufficient restful sleep, rest and take things easy. Relaxation and breathing exercises support recovery. In addition, refrain from starting sport (again) as long as you do not yet feel one hundred per cent fit again.
If the exhaustion has not improved four weeks after you have recovered from the infection, you should consult a doctor in order to rule out organ dysfunction following the coronavirus disease and other triggers of fatigue.