Five and a half years after the world was shut down for a novel virus, some people are still feeling the effects of the initial illness. Dubbed “long covid,” a collection of symptoms linger well after the initial illness occurred. What Is Long Covid? Known formally as post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), here’s what it is: Long COVID is defined as a chronic condition that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and is present for at least 3 months. Long COVID includes a wide range of symptoms or conditions that may improve, worsen, or be ongoing. Long covid can linger for months or even years, and in some cases, it becomes a chronic condition that can be severe enough to cause disability. Symptoms include the following from the CDC: General symptoms Tiredness or fatigue that interferes with daily life Symptoms that get worse after physical or mental effort Fever Respiratory and heart symptoms Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Coughing Chest pain Fast-beating or pounding heart (also known as heart palpitations) Neurological symptoms Difficulty thinking or concentrating (sometimes referred to as “brain fog”) Headaches Sleep problems Dizziness when you stand up (lightheadedness) Pins-and-needles feelings Change in smell or taste Depression or anxiety Digestive Symptoms Diarrhea Stomach pain Constipation Other symptoms Joint or muscle pain Rash Changes in menstrual cycles It can turn into a serious chronic illness, according to the Open Medicine Foundation: Numerous studies have revealed a significant overlap in symptoms reported by patients with Long COVID and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). An NIH-funded study found that new cases of ME/CFS were 15 times higher than pre-pandemic levels. According to the results, 4.5% post-COVID-19 participants met ME/CFS diagnostic criteria, compared to 0.6% participants that had not been infected by SARS-CoV-2 virus. These findings provide additional evidence that infections, including those caused by SARS-CoV-2, can lead to ME/CFS. Long covid causes a serious decline in the quality of life of people who suffer from it. What Causes Long Covid? A study by the University of Kansas determined that the illness was caused by spike proteins that remained in the body. The study looked at 116 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized at the University of Kansas and analyzed the viral RNA and Spike protein in these patients. Most of the follow-ups occurred between 8 and 12 weeks, however, some went as far as 24 weeks or more. The team found that measuring viral RNA and Spike Proteins was helpful in understanding Long Haul Covid. In fact, the degree of the Spike protein was most closely connected with three variables: blood d-dimer level, length of hospital stay, and intensity of hospitalized symptoms. Dr. Peter McCullough has suggested that individuals who have been vaccinated may be more susceptible to long COVID. It is likely that immunization worsens post-COVID symptoms despite producing antibodies against the Spike protein because COVID-19 mRNA vaccinations add additional genetic code and Spike protein to the body. The CDC disagrees with this conclusion, and in fact, believes that the opposite is true. Research shows COVID-19 vaccination is the best available tool to prevent Long COVID, including in children. I encourage you to do your own research on this divisive subject. Long Covid Treatments Treatment options can be limited and there is not one set treatment by the medical community. The Cleveland Clinic offers these options: Medication. Providers can treat certain symptoms and conditions, like cough, headaches, anxiety and depression with medication. If they can find an underlying cause for long COVID (like blood clots), they might be able to treat the cause with medications. Stellate ganglion block or olfactory retraining. Providers can use these treatments to try to bring back your sense of smell and taste. A stellate ganglion block numbs certain nerves in your neck that can affect your sense of smell. Olfactory retraining uses common smells to help your brain remember what things should smell like. Physical therapy. Physical therapy incorporates exercise, massage and other treatments that can help you with pain or movement issues. Pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a special kind of exercise and education program that can help you breathe better and learn how to manage breathing issues at home. Counseling. Counseling gives you someone to talk to who can help you manage the psychological effects of severe or long-term illness. The Wellness Company has another protocol. They have a product called Ultimate Spike Detox, which is stronger than their previous Spike Support product. If you find that you need something stronger, this could be the answer for you. It’s an extra strength formula designed to use the McCullough Base Spike Detoxification Protocol, which was published in several major medical journals. It contains natural ingredients and is classified as a dietary supplement. If you’ve been suffering from the effects of covid long after the initial illness is gone, I encourage you to give the Ultimate Spike Detox a try. It attacks the root problem – spike proteins – instead of merely treating the symptoms. What About You? I know that some folks say “covid doesn’t exist” and “it’s just the flu” but I had an extremely severe case of it back when I was living in Mexico. Luckily, I didn’t suffer long-term side effects, but I personally know several people who have. Have you had covid? Was it mild or severe? Do you have any of the symptoms of long covid? Have you seen a doctor for it? Please share your experience in the comments section. The post Long Covid: What You Need to Know appeared first on The Organic Prepper.