Health: Recovering from a respiratory infection
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Loading... - Kaito Daigo
- 05 Sep 2022
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The World Health Organisation estimates that 290,000 to 650,000 people die of flu-related causes every year worldwide.
Influenza is making a comeback in Malaysia since the easing of lockdowns and movement restrictions. At the same time, Covid-19 remains an ever present threat.
Post recovery, both Covid-19 and influenza patients may continue to suffer from lingering symptoms.
Studies show a protein in the influenza virus that helps it multiply and damage lung epithelial cells, causing fluid build-up in the lungs. A bad case of Covid-19, on the other hand, can produce scarring and other permanent problems in the lungs.
"Predominantly, long Covid patients are the elderly because of their weak immunity. Moreover, adults with heart or lung disease are prone to these respiratory diseases as their airways are much narrower," says Sunway Medical Centre consultant respiratory physician, Dr Kow Ken Siong.
Post respiratory disease symptoms vary for everyone but includes constant tiredness, brain fog, persistent headache, chest pain, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath and a prolonged cough.
Symptoms like these can be treated, but it will take time.
Gradually, lung tissue heals from scarring, but it will take months or years for a person's lung function to return to normal. Read More...
