Dr. Chandima Jeewandara of Sri Jayewardenepura University has warned of long COVID, which usually occurs three months after exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.
Dr. Jeewandara said that a large number of people around the world are currently suffering from long COVID.
Stating that a majority of the affected people are adults between the ages of 30 and 50, he said, however, children are found to be at low risk, while healthy adults have been found to be suffering from long COVID.
Long COVID occurs in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection, usually three months after exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, and lasts for at least two months.
Fatigue, exercise intolerance, breathing difficulty, brain fog, muscle pain and weakness, chest pain, headaches, and fast heart rate have been identified as typical long COVID symptoms, he pointed out.
Dr. Jeewandara revealed that Covid vaccinations have proven to minimize the chances of developing long COVID.
He, therefore, urged the public to obtain their Covid vaccines, adding that only 17 million people have obtained at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in Sri Lanka.
Stating that just over eight million persons have obtained a booster jab, he said that only around 137,000 individuals have received the second booster shot. (NewsWire)