Fatigue in long COVID is a persistent, overwhelming tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest. It impacts daily activities, concentration, and physical performance. This chronic exhaustion often accompanies other symptoms such as muscle pain, cognitive difficulties, and sleep disturbances, significantly affecting quality of life and requiring careful management and support.
Post-exertional malaise (PEM) stands as a defining and often debilitating feature of Long COVID, PEM report a range of symptoms, including heightened fatigue, cognitive fog, muscle and joint pain, and a general sense of unwellness
ME/CFS can develop in Long Covid survivors, characterized by severe fatigue, post-exertional malaise, cognitive impairments, and sleep disturbances. Anyone, but predominantly women, can be affected. Management includes pacing, symptom-specific treatments, and multidisciplinary support.
Mitochondria are often referred to as the powerhouse of cells, responsible for producing energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation. In Long COVID, mitochondrial dysfunction can occur due to various factors, including viral impact, immune system dysregulation, and oxidative stress, leading to impaired energy production and cellular processes.